Siheung's "Siheung Gaetgol Festival" to Be Held September 26-28

26 Programs to Be Held at Gaetgol Ecological Park

The "Siheung Gaetgol Festival" in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, will be held for three days from September 26 to 28 at the Siheung Gaetgol Ecological Park.

This year’s festival, held under the theme "Twenty Years of Memories, Salt Flowers Blooming in the Wind," will feature 26 diverse programs.

One of the highlights is a newly introduced program called "Memories of Salt, Dance of Water." Various performances will take place alongside candle lights on the salt fields.

During the event, programs that combine space and art will be offered, including a special "Hot Air Balloon Experience" providing a panoramic view of the entire Gaetgol area, the "Path of Wind Sounds" where visitors can walk while listening to the sounds of nature, and the "Forest Music Festival" which does not use any artificial equipment.

On the first day of the event, September 26, the "37th Citizens’ Day" celebration will also be held.

The city has enhanced visitor convenience as well. In the food zone, a QR code-based ordering system will be introduced, and a ready-to-eat food section will be operated for purchases without cooking.

Guide maps providing an overview of the festival grounds will be installed throughout the venue, and a cooling rest area for volunteers will also be set up. Stroller and wheelchair rentals will be available, along with the newly introduced pet kennel rental service. The city will also expand parking spaces for people with disabilities and barrier-free zones in performance areas.

A designated area for visitors accompanied by pets will be established, and a Culture Nuri Card affiliate store for the culturally underserved will also be operated.

In line with the values of an eco-friendly festival that reduces carbon emissions, the number of shuttle buses will be reduced from 114 last year to 64 this year. Instead, walking content such as "Gaetgol, Let’s Walk" will be planned. The city will also promote the use of web flyers, reusable containers at the festival site, and eco-friendly festival supplies.

At the festival venue, there will be a farmers’ market selling local agricultural products and an "Art Market" where local young entrepreneurs and artists will sell handmade crafts. During the festival, the "Gaetgol Big Sale" will be held in conjunction with a two-for-one discount event for the local currency "Siru" to promote local consumption and revitalize the commercial district.

Kim Taewoo, Director of the Siheung City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "We will do our best to ensure that the Siheung Gaetgol Festival brings happiness to citizens and establishes itself as a cultural asset of Siheung."