The 25th Sorae Port Festival will take place from September 26 to 28 at Haeurum Square in Sorae Port, Namdong-gu, Incheon. Namdong-gu aims to elevate this festival into Korea's leading marine ecological festival by blending the history and traditions of Sorae Port with a modern touch.
On the first day, the festival will feature a Sorae Port seafood cuisine contest, performances by the Namdong-gu traditional percussion troupe and women's choir, congratulatory performances by singer Park Seojin and others, as well as an opening drone show. The second day will offer an open singing contest, seafood auction and recreation events, a children's puppet show, Sorae K-Pop Dance Night, and a DJ hip-hop concert, among other activities.
The final day will be highlighted by the Namdong Artists Concert and a ballet performance by the Incheon City Ballet Company, followed by a closing performance featuring Urban Zakapa and the Gayageum ensemble Gaya, as well as the Sorae Sea closing drone show to mark the festival's finale.
In addition to stage performances, a variety of hands-on programs will be available. Children can enjoy boat fishing, a salt playground, a mudflat playground, and a sea-themed air bounce. The "K-Culture Experience Booth" will offer opportunities to try on Hanbok, learn K-Pop dance, and watch K-Beauty makeup demonstrations, allowing visitors to experience Korean Wave culture.
This year, the festival has been upgraded into a family-friendly event by expanding the experience zones and rest areas so that both children and parents can enjoy the festivities together. The "Sorae Plogging Stamp Tour," which combines tourism and environmental protection, will also be held.
Additionally, the "West Coast Fishing Ritual" will be held to pray for a bountiful catch, and at the Jangdo Artillery Site, the "Sorae Port History Exhibition" will shed new light on the historical value of Sorae's salt fields, fish market, and Sorae Railway Bridge.
At the entrance to the festival grounds, the "Sorae Sea Street of Light," a media installation recreating underwater scenery, will welcome visitors, while large-scale sculptures of a sailing ship and lighthouse will create a spectacular backdrop. Art balloons featuring the Sorae characters "Saerangi" and "Gerangi" are also expected to be popular photo spots for families.
The district office will operate facilities such as showers, changing rooms, an emergency medical room, and a wheelchair rental station within the venue. Thorough traffic control and the deployment of safety personnel are also planned to ensure that visitors can enjoy the festival with peace of mind.
Namdong-gu Mayor Park Jonghyo stated, "We will deliver the romance and joy of the sea through differentiated content that highlights Sorae Port's unique charm," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the Sorae Port Festival establishes itself as Korea's leading cultural tourism festival through safe and systematic management."
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