The 28th Yeongdeok Daegae Festival Successfully Concludes with 100,000 Visitors Over Four Days

New Attempts Amid Inclement Weather
Meticulous Event Management Stands Out

The 28th Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival, held at Haepalang Park in Ganggu-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun, came to a grand close with a heated atmosphere, attracting 100,000 visitors despite inclement weather.

The 28th Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival.

This year's Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival, held under the theme "The Taste of Yeongdeok, The Style of Yeongdeok," was praised for its innovative attempts, such as the introduction of new programs and convenient facilities where visitors could sample Yeongdeok snow crab and other local specialties.

On the first day, the festival kicked off with a safety prayer ritual at Chayu Village (Gyeongjeong 2-ri, the original snow crab village). An exciting parade featuring over 400 members of local folk music troupes and social organizations took place on Ganggu Snow Crab Street and at the festival venue, getting visitors into the festive spirit.

The large food zone offered a variety of menus using local specialties, such as snow crab ramen and sea squirt bibimbap. The convenience of installing kiosks at every stall led to such high popularity that some stalls sold out early on Saturday.

Among the experience programs, the festival's signature snow crab fishing and the newly introduced snow crab trap catching activity received enthusiastic responses, emerging as new icons of the festival. The trap catching program, which also offered local gift certificates and specialties in addition to snow crab, was almost fully booked for every session despite being introduced for the first time. Other programs, such as "Catch the Auctioneer" and "Yeongdeok Snow Crab Giveaway," allowed visitors to obtain high-quality Yeongdeok snow crab at exceptional prices, greatly enhancing visitor satisfaction.

Programs involving local residents also brought joy to everyone. The Yeongdeok Snow Crab Preparation Contest, held by participants from Ganggu Snow Crab Street stores, saw contestants with experience ranging from five to over twenty years compete to prepare and plate two snow crabs within a limited time. This event went beyond being just a spectacle, embodying the festival's spirit of unity and participation.

This year, the festival moved from Samsa Marine Park to Haepalang Park, raising concerns about safety and traffic. However, thanks to close cooperation with related organizations and groups such as Yeongdeok Police Station, Yeongdeok Fire Station, and the Yeongdeok County Model Drivers' Association, effective safety management and traffic control ensured the festival concluded smoothly without any major incidents or inconveniences.

However, there were some criticisms regarding the ticketing system's limitations due to the large crowds, as well as the need for improved information on festival programs and schedules. In response, Yeongdeok-gun plans to conduct a thorough evaluation of the festival, analyze the issues, and implement effective improvements with expert advice for next year's event.

Lee Sangho, chairman of the Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival Promotion Committee, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We were worried about disruptions due to wind and rain, but thanks to the joint efforts of various organizations and groups in preparing for the festival, we were able to finish successfully."

Kim Kwangyeol, the county governor, stated, "As the years go by, the Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival continues to evolve with new challenges and content, never becoming stale. Many people feel both pride and anticipation for the festival," adding, "We will spare no effort to ensure that all residents, visitors, and organizers can enjoy and unite at the best festival, establishing it as a long-standing tradition."