Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival Offering Fun, Culinary Delights, and Meaning Kicks Off on the 12th

Jeoneo Catching Demonstration, Song Festival, and Elementary School Writing Contest Held
Stamp Tour Linking Yun Dongju Poetry Garden and Other Attractions

Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province announced on September 8 that the 24th Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival will offer citizens and tourists a unique experience as a "Three Delights Festival," bringing together fun, culinary delights, and meaningful moments.

This year's festival will be held from September 12 to 14 around Mangdeok Port in Jinwol-myeon, featuring a variety of programs that allow visitors to fully experience the charm of jeoneo (gizzard shad), such as jeoneo catching, grilled jeoneo tasting, and a demonstration of Jinwol Jeoneo Catching Songs.

Jeoneo Course Meal Set. Provided by Gwangyang City

Notably, for the first time since its inception, the festival will feature a "live sea jeoneo catching demonstration," where jeoneo are caught directly at sea. This special event will take place at 5 p.m. on both September 13 and 14, providing a unique spectacle for visitors.

The Jeoneo Song Festival, where any citizen can become the star of the stage, will hold preliminary rounds on September 12, with the grand finale and a celebratory performance by a guest singer taking place on September 14.

The national elementary school writing and drawing contests will also be held on September 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event commemorates the friendship between Professor Jeong Byeonguk, who preserved and shared "Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry," and poet Yun Dongju. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Seomjin River and Mangdeok Port, the contests are expected to inspire creativity and emotional expression among students.

Registration for the contests will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 13 at the booth in front of the "Yun Dongju Manuscript Preservation Jeong Byeonguk House." Participants will receive drawing paper and manuscript paper and must submit their entries by 5 p.m. on the same day. The awards ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on September 14, with certificates and prizes presented to a total of six winners.

The "Collect Stamps" event, which connects nearby tourist attractions such as the Jeong Byeonguk House, Yun Dongju Poetry Garden, Seonso Memorial Hall, and the salt-tolerant plant habitat, will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on both September 13 and 14.

Visitors who complete their stamp cards while touring the festival's nearby attractions and submit them at the main booth will receive either a ticket for one round of barehanded jeoneo catching or a plate of grilled jeoneo.

In addition, there will be a variety of performances by the Gwangyang City Choir, the Gwangyang City Children's Choir, the Hwanggeumddong Samulnori Troupe, 7090 Folk Music, and magic juggling acts, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show.

During the festival, the Mangdeok Food Town area will be operated as a car-free zone. Visitors are advised to use the temporary parking lot near the jeoneo sculpture at the entrance to the venue or the public parking lot behind Jinwol Elementary School.

Lee Hyunju, head of the Tourism Division, explained, "Jeoneo caught at Mangdeok Port boasts firm flesh and deep flavor, thanks to the swift currents of the estuary where the Seomjin River meets the sea. Above all, it is rich in calcium, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, making it a perfect autumn food for the whole family, supporting everything from children's bone growth to seniors' vascular health."

She added, "With a wealth of hands-on programs, a variety of delicious foods, and a blend of history, culture, and the arts, we hope you enjoy a truly satisfying autumn trip to Gwangyang at the 24th Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival, where you can experience fun, culinary delights, and meaning all at once."