10 Days of the Hwasun Spring Flower Festival Begin with a Bang
2.1km of Canola Fields Along Antsan Observatory Road Dazzle Visitors
Popular Singers Kim Yongim, Kim Yongpil, Shin Sung, and Bin Yeseo to Perform
Gong Jeongsik Song Festival, Music Fountain, and Goindol Night Market Highlight the Festivities
A panoramic view of the Canola Flower Field on Kkotganggil, the main stage of the Hwasun Spring Flower Festival. Provided by Hwasun County
'Flowers of Spring Days! Lights of Spring Nights!' The Hwasun Spring Flower Festival will kick off on the 18th for a 10-day run at Namsan Park and along the Kkotgang-gil area.
The Hwasun Spring Flower Festival is already drawing attention from tourists as the entire 2.1km stretch of Kkotgang-gil, starting from Namsan Park?where local businesses are concentrated?to the Antsan Observatory and Music Fountain, now established as Hwasun's landmarks and hot spots, will be transformed into a festival venue.
The biggest feature of this festival is that visitors can freely enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, such as canola flower fields and fantastic night views, without any admission fees.
▲Opening Ceremony and Main Events
The opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on the 19th, a weekend, at a special stage at Hwasun Public Stadium. The event consists of three parts: a pre-event, the opening ceremony, and the Opening Celebration Show (Gong Jeongsik Song Festival). Performances, sales, hands-on experiences, spring flower displays, and exhibitions will be held at the main venues?Namsan Park and Kkotgang-gil.
Especially notable is the Opening Celebration Show, Gong Jeongsik Song Festival (recorded for TV Chosun), featuring invited singers Kim Yongim, Kim Yongpil, Shin Sung, Bin Yeseo, Kang Yesul, and King, hosted by professional MC Cho Younggu.
The main stage of the Hwasun Spring Flower Festival, Hwasun Gaemisan Observatory, and the view of the musical fountain. Provided by Hwasun County
The main stage of the festival, Namsan Park, will be divided and operated into four themed zones out of a total of five festival areas. Zone 1 covers the area around the Community Center Hall, the Memorial Tower, and Seoyangjeong at the park’s entrance, where local specialty product sales, three food trucks, and a children's experience zone will be set up and operated.
Zone 2 is the front yard of the Community Center Hall and Seoyangjeong. A general situation room will be established in front of the Community Center Hall to command and control all situations during the festival, while the central plaza in front of Seoyangjeong will host busking, balloon shows, brass band performances, and various other events.
Zone 3 in Namsan Park is the current archery range. A TV-shaped masking will be installed to operate a video screen, and booths selling signature single-item foods such as black ice cream and chrysanthemum bread, as well as a woodworking hands-on zone, will be set up facing each other, along with various beverages.
Zone 4 is the outdoor stage, the main performance venue of the Spring Flower Festival. Numerous performances will take place from the opening day on the 18th until the closing on the 27th. Notably, Roy Kim will perform on the 25th, and Jung In and Hwang Garam will appear on the 26th (8 p.m.), while the Pinkfong performance will be held twice on the 26th at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
▲Antsan Observatory and Music Fountain 'Catch the Eye'
In Zone 5, Kkotgang-gil, where the Antsan Observatory and Music Fountain are located, visitors will be greeted by succulent plants, shrimp orchids, wildflowers, canola flowers, and the Imagination Garden.
The Imagination Garden, created on the 2,612㎡ Kkotgang-gil parking lot site, is a family-friendly garden designed to stimulate children's imagination and creativity, featuring 13 types of character topiaries, mirror sculptures, flower trains, landscaping trees, and flowering plants.
Additionally, the 2.1km Kkotgang-gil canola flower complex will operate an alpaca experience zone for children and a 100m round-trip flower carriage experience zone. Throughout the canola flower fields, visitor rest areas with sunshades and benches will be set up and are expected to become popular photo spots.
▲Food at the 'Goindol Night Market'
The 'Goindol Night Market,' hosted by the Hwasun Cultural Tourism Foundation, will be held as a side event from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the 25th and 26th at the Hwasun Goindol Traditional Market. Small-scale experience programs utilizing market spaces and various performances will enhance the festive mood, promising a true food festival experience.
In particular, Hwasun County, considering the lack of parking space, has requested that visitors park at the dedicated festival parking lot at the Hanioum Culture and Sports Center and use the free shuttle bus. If visitors must drive to Namsan Park, they are asked to use the nearby public parking lots.
Gu Bokgyu, the mayor of Hwasun County, said, "We planned this festival to revitalize the local economy during these difficult times. We have put our utmost effort into capturing the beauty, charm, and night scenery of Hwasun's mountains, fields, and rivers in this spring flower festival, and we hope many people will visit to regain vitality in their daily lives."
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