A Vibrant Autumn Festival
to Be Held at Hongcheon Tori Forest from October 30 to November 2
Hongcheon County in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced on October 16 that it will simultaneously host the 23rd Hongcheon Ginseng Hanwoo Premium Festival and the 10th Hongcheon Apple Festival for four days from October 30 to November 2 at the Hongcheon Urban Forest Park Tori Forest area.
This year, both festivals will be held at the same venue, creating a vibrant autumn festival that combines Hongcheon’s premium local specialties with a wide variety of performances, experiences, and events. Centered around Hongcheon’s renowned six-year-old ginseng, Neulpureum Hanwoo beef, and Hongcheon apples, a range of sales events and activities are planned, allowing visitors to fully experience the charm of Hongcheon as an autumn travel destination.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy a packed lineup of stage performances including the “MBC Noon Song of Hope Live Broadcast,” the “Korean Premium Concert,” the “Hongcheon River Song Festival,” and the “One Heart Concert.” There will also be engaging participatory events such as “Happiness for 10,000 Won” (bone picking), apple peeling contests, and ginseng auctions. In particular, the “Dum-Dum Event” will offer generous prizes such as extra apples and plush toys to visitors who purchase more than 5 kilograms of apples and to soldiers in uniform, which is expected to receive an enthusiastic response.
Additionally, there will be a Hanwoo self-service restaurant, ginseng sales booths, agricultural and specialty product stalls, local food vendors, and a variety of treats such as ginseng fritters, ginseng Makgeolli, Hanwoo skewers, apple hot dogs, and apple tarts. Local farmers and merchants will participate directly, making this a direct-trade festival where producers and consumers can interact. Notably, this year’s tasting and discount events have been significantly expanded compared to last year.
Hongcheon Livestock Cooperative has more than doubled the daily sampling quantity of Hanwoo skewers and will provide free sausages to customers using the Hanwoo self-service restaurant. Gangwon Ginseng Cooperative will host a ginseng Makgeolli tasting event during the festival and will give ginseng jelly and candy to customers who purchase fresh ginseng.
Furthermore, practical consumer benefits have been expanded with a 50% discount on Grade 5 fresh ginseng (limited to 8 tons) and up to 50% discounts on various Hanwoo beef cuts.
In addition, Neulpureum Hongcheon Hanwoo beef will be offered at up to 50% off by cut, and this year’s six-year-old Hongcheon ginseng will also be available at up to 50% off (30% off for Grades 1-5, 50% off for Grade 5, excluding substandard ginseng), further expanding practical consumer benefits.
This year, a new family experience zone will be created using the playground and gateball field within Tori Forest. Free experience booths will be available for all ages, offering activities such as perfume making, ginseng fishing, pottery flowerpot making, and nameplate crafting.
On October 31, a “Civil-Military-Private Harmony Folk Event” will be held as a side event along the roadside area of Hongcheon Kkotmoe Park. This participatory festival, centered on local residents and involving tug-of-war and traditional folk games, will bring together 10 towns and villages in Hongcheon County as well as related organizations, promising a lively and inclusive celebration for all.
To enhance convenience for pedestrians and to practice ESG management, this year’s festival will be operated as a “car-free festival,” with shuttle buses running every hour. In addition, emergency routes have been secured through safety reviews, and the medical support system has been strengthened to ensure safe festival operations.
Jeon Myeongjun, Chairman of the Hongcheon Cultural Foundation, said, “This year, with both festivals being held together, we have focused on changes that visitors can directly experience, such as expanding free experience booths and tasting programs, and have prepared richer programs than ever before. We hope you will fully enjoy the authentic premium flavors of ginseng, Hanwoo beef, and apples, as well as a variety of attractions, during your autumn trip to Hongcheon.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
