Food Zone Draws Huge Crowds, Hands-On Programs Sell Out
Local Specialty Sales Exceed 1 Billion Won
A large fresh kimchi making experience event is being held at the Cheongyang Chili Goji Berry Festival. / Cheongyang County
The 26th Cheongyang Chili Goji Berry Festival, held in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province, known as the "home of Korean chili peppers," concluded successfully with a record-breaking number of visitors-100,000-and the highest sales ever recorded.
This year’s festival achieved total agricultural product sales exceeding 1 billion won, including 660 million won in dried chili peppers and 130 million won in chili powder. The food zone and hands-on programs were highlighted as the most successful features of the event.
Cheongyang County announced on the 22nd that the 26th Cheongyang Chili Goji Berry Festival, held over three days from the 19th to the 21st at Baekse Health Park in Cheongyang-eup, attracted around 100,000 visitors and wrapped up with great success.
Although the festival was held three weeks later than usual due to the heat, raising concerns about sluggish chili sales, the county overcame these challenges through proactive promotions and a rational pricing strategy. As a result, the festival achieved record sales of 660 million won in dried chili peppers and 130 million won in chili powder, with total agricultural product sales surpassing 1 billion won.
In particular, the "core" of the festival was the food zone. Menus featuring Cheongyang agricultural products-such as young radish noodles, king chili pepper fries, and omija and goji berry ade-were extremely popular, drawing long lines. Hands-on programs like large-scale fresh kimchi making, goji berry rice cake mosaics, and goji berry chili paste making sold out daily, establishing the food zone as the symbolic space of the festival.
Dried Chili Peppers and Red Pepper Powder Sales Site at Cheongyang Chili Goji Berry Festival / Cheongyang County
In addition, the local specialty sales zone offered direct sales of a variety of regional products such as Liriope, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, and melons, contributing to increased farm income.
The promotional experience zone and wood culture zone provided new attractions for families, while the nighttime scenery and drone light show created special memories for visitors.
Furthermore, this year’s festival strengthened ESG practices by using reusable containers instead of disposable items.
County Governor Kim Dongon stated, "The food zone delivered the greatest results, widely promoting the excellence of Cheongyang’s agricultural products. Moving forward, we will develop new content combining food, hands-on experiences, and culture to grow this into a world-class festival."
Meanwhile, based on this year’s achievements, the county plans to strengthen its chili and goji berry food brand and expand the festival into a global event that will drive local economic and cultural development, aiming to become "the hottest festival in the world."
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