Yangyang County to Host Pine Mushroom Festival October 10-12
Salmon Festival at Namdaecheon Riverside October 24-26
Pine Mushroom Treasure Hunt Returns, Salmon Bare-Hand Catching Expanded
Abundant Performances and Gourmet Programs
Autumn Festival Season Begins
Yangyang County in Gangwon Province announced on September 17 that it will separately hold the "2025 Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival" and the "2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival" this fall. This year, both festivals will take place at the Namdaecheon Riverside area in Yangyang-eup, but the county plans to maximize each festival's unique characteristics by holding them at different times, taking into account the harvest and return periods for pine mushrooms and salmon.
Yangyang County will host the "2025 Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival" from October 10 to 12 for three days, followed by the "2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival" from October 24 to 26, also for three days. Both festivals will be held at the Namdaecheon Riverside area in Yangyang-eup and will run daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2025 Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival: "Yangyang's Autumn, Immersed in the Flavor of Pine Mushrooms"
This year’s Pine Mushroom Festival, held from October 10 to 12, will feature a variety of programs themed "Yangyang's Autumn, Immersed in the Flavor of Pine Mushrooms," including traditional experiences, gourmet events, and performances.
The most anticipated program is the "Pine Mushroom Treasure Hunt," returning after two years. Participants can harvest and take home Yangyang’s premium pine mushrooms themselves. A total of 480 people can join-80 per session, two sessions per day, over three days. The participation fee is 30,000 won, and reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis via the "GoGo Yangyang" app from September 10 to October 9. Twenty percent of the participation fee will be reimbursed on-site as Yangyang Love Gift Certificates, contributing to the local economy.
Additionally, at the pop-up store "Yangyang Pine Mushroom Gourmet Garden," renowned chefs will present unique dishes such as pine mushroom risotto and pine mushroom har gow.
Other attractions include a pine mushroom ramen booth and a snack playground, and visitors can also purchase fresh Yangyang pine mushrooms on-site.
The opening ceremony will feature a recitation of a pine mushroom and salmon tribute poem by poet Shin Dalja, a performance by trot singer Jang Minho, and a fireworks show. On Saturday evening, the "Namdaecheon Sunset Live" stage will offer an acoustic performance, adding to the romantic autumn night.
2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival: "Embracing the River and Salmon of Namdaecheon"
This year’s Yangyang Salmon Festival will take place from October 24 to 26 for three days, under the theme "Embracing the River and Salmon of Namdaecheon."
The festival’s signature program, the "Salmon Bare-Hand Catching Experience," will be relocated to the main stream of Namdaecheon, providing an even more vivid experience. A total of 1,200 people can participate-200 per session, two sessions per day, over three days-with a participation fee of 30,000 won. Reservations are available on the "GoGo Yangyang" app from September 10 to October 23. Participants can grill and eat the salmon they catch on the spot, and like the Pine Mushroom Festival, 20 percent of the participation fee will be reimbursed as Yangyang Love Gift Certificates.
Special programs will also be offered, including a talk show with Ando Hyeon, author of the novel "Salmon," a tasting of native salmon sashimi, and a salmon-shaped snack-making activity.
On the final day of the festival, the 26th, the event will conclude with a county residents’ singing contest and a performance by singer Kim Johan.
A Yangyang County festival official stated, "This year, both the Pine Mushroom Festival and the Salmon Festival are designed to highlight their unique features, offering gourmet experiences and hands-on activities during the day, and music and emotional performances at night. We hope many visitors will fully enjoy the essence of autumn in Yangyang."
The official added, "For participants in the Pine Mushroom Treasure Hunt and Salmon Bare-Hand Catching Experience, 20 percent of the participation fee will be reimbursed as Yangyang Love Gift Certificates, encouraging local spending and contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy."
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