Cheongyang Chili Pepper and Goji Berry Festival to Open on the 19th with Enhanced Food and Experiences

Rising Expectations with Eco-Friendly Practices
and Diverse Programs

Kim Donggon, the county governor, is conducting the final briefing session for the Cheongyang Chili Pepper and Goji Berry Festival. / Cheongyang County

The Cheongyang Chili Pepper and Goji Berry Festival, the representative festival of Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province, will open on the 19th. Celebrating its 26th year, this year's festival has been greatly enhanced with more food options, hands-on experiences, and attractions, making it a vibrant event where families can engage all five senses.

On the 27th, Cheongyang County announced that it had held the final briefing session of the festival's organizing committee in the county office's main conference room to review the overall progress of the festival.

More than 60 people, including Lee Dongsu, the chairperson of the organizing committee, as well as department heads, attended the briefing session to finalize the details of the programs and the operation plan.

According to the county, this year's festival will feature a significantly upgraded food area compared to the previous year.

In particular, the food zone has been newly organized with the addition of nine booths, and a food court-style communal dining area will be operated to improve visitor satisfaction.

Furthermore, the use of reusable containers will be mandatory, taking the lead in eco-friendly and carbon-neutral practices.

The county has also greatly expanded its hands-on programs. Diverse activities that anyone can enjoy, such as the Wood Culture Sharing Festival, VR experiences, large-scale kimchi geotjeori making, and goji berry rice cake mosaic creation, have been prepared.

In addition, the World Chili Pepper and Goji Berry Exhibition Hall has been newly renovated as a welcome center, where a special zone will be operated to provide comprehensive information to visitors and highlight the excellence of Cheongyang's agricultural products.

Lee Dongsu, chairperson of the organizing committee, stated, "I will make sure to meticulously oversee every detail so that this year's greatly revamped festival can be held successfully."

Kim Donggon, the county governor, said, "We have strengthened the food, hands-on experiences, and attractions so that visitors can enjoy the festival with all their senses. We will do our utmost to ensure that both residents and tourists can enjoy the festival safely and happily."