A Festival Where Starlight, Herbal Medicine, Wine, Hanwoo Beef, and Culture Come Together
The city of Yeongcheon announced on October 21 that the festival, held across Yeongcheon for three days from the 17th to the 19th, concluded successfully with more than 82,000 visitors in attendance.
This festival, which took place at the Bohyeonsan Astronomical Science Museum and along the Yeongcheon Riverside Park, featured five simultaneous events: the Yeongcheon Bohyeonsan Starlight Festival, the Yeongcheon Herbal Medicine Festival, the Yeongcheon Wine Festa, the Yeongcheon Starlight Hanwoo Premium Barbecue Festival, and the Yeongcheon Culture and Arts Festival. These diverse and vibrant festivities captured the interest of both residents and visitors with a wide array of attractions and experiences.
◆ Yeongcheon Bohyeonsan Starlight Festival: Where Starlight Meets Science
The 22nd Yeongcheon Bohyeonsan Starlight Festival was held at the Bohyeonsan Astronomical Science Museum under the slogan "Under the Starlight of Yeongcheon, in Search of Saturn's Rings."
On the opening day, the event began with a pre-ceremony performance by the Starlight Children's Dance Troupe, followed by a stage from guest singer Kim Feel and a mesmerizing drone light show depicting stars and Saturn, offering a fantastic spectacle for the audience.
During the festival, a variety of programs were offered for all ages, including constellation lectures ("Eye Contact with the Stars"), a "Star Party" with amateur astronomy clubs from nearby universities, science experiences with the Cheonsamo club, astronomy and science lectures (on cosmic dust and stars), the Children's Golden Star Challenge, and a bubble magic show.
In particular, experiences such as the drone simulator, laser shooting, and AI Omok robot, sponsored by Korea Water Resources Corporation, were especially popular, adding to the richness of the festival.
Associated events, such as the opening of the observatory and nighttime access to the Bohyeonsan Dam Suspension Bridge, were praised for providing unforgettable autumn memories for families.
◆ Yeongcheon Herbal Medicine Festival: Health and Healing
The 23rd Yeongcheon Herbal Medicine Festival was held at Yeongcheon Riverside Park, showcasing the excellence of Yeongcheon, a special hub for traditional Korean medicine, through a variety of programs.
Visitors could experience the charm of traditional medicine through programs such as consultations with renowned oriental medicine doctors, a folk village made of traditional thatched-roof booths, an herbal medicine exhibition tunnel, and displays of rare medicinal herbs.
Experiences like making herbal sachets, crafting traditional hats for children, playing traditional games with Joseon-era characters, and street workout performances were especially popular among families, making the festival enjoyable for all generations.
Additionally, interactive events such as a roulette event and a stamp tour provided visitors with fun and the chance to win various prizes, further enhancing the festival experience.
◆ Yeongcheon Wine Festa & Hanwoo Premium Barbecue Festival: Wine and Hanwoo Come Together
The 13th Yeongcheon Wine Festa and the Yeongcheon Starlight Hanwoo Premium Barbecue Festival were also held at Yeongcheon Riverside Park, drawing great enthusiasm from visitors with the pairing of wine and Hanwoo beef.
At the Wine Festa, guests could taste and purchase over 50 varieties of wine produced by 10 local wineries. This has become one of Yeongcheon's signature festivals, with a steadily increasing number of young visitors each year.
The festival featured jazz, pop, and magic performances to pair with the wine, as well as hands-on programs such as wine making (fermentation experience), creating your own wine (bottling experience), and decorating wine glasses, making it an event that both children and families could enjoy.
At the Yeongcheon Starlight Hanwoo Premium Barbecue Festival, Hanwoo beef was sold at discounted prices, and an outdoor barbecue restaurant allowed visitors to grill and eat the beef on-site, attracting large crowds from the first day.
Furthermore, a livestock product promotion event offered tastings of various products such as Hanwoo bulgogi burgers, pork jerky, yogurt, honey sticks, and goat extract, widely promoting the superior quality and taste of Yeongcheon Starlight Hanwoo beef.
◆ Yeongcheon Culture and Arts Festival: Where Culture Meets Art
The 51st Yeongcheon Culture and Arts Festival was held at Yeongcheon Riverside Park, the Citizens' Hall, and the Arts Creation Studio.
Events included national competitions in traditional percussion (pungmul) and Nanta, the Pumba Festival, and traditional cultural activities such as tug-of-war, jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), and tuho (arrow throwing) by towns and villages. Local artists also held exhibitions, performances, and hands-on activities, providing opportunities for community unity and offering diverse enjoyment for visitors.
On the final day of the festival, October 19, the 29th Wangpyeong Song Festival served as the grand finale. Ten teams competed in the finals, and renowned trot singers such as Joo Hyunmi, Park Guyoon, and Kang Min, along with past winners of the Wangpyeong Song Festival, performed on stage, heightening the excitement.
The Wangpyeong Song Festival, commemorating the achievements of Wangpyeong Lee Eungho, who wrote the lyrics to the first anti-Japanese song "Hwangseong Old Site," has established itself as a gateway for discovering talented new singers from across the country.
Choi Kimoon, Mayor of Yeongcheon, stated, "This festival, which brought together starlight, culture, wine, Hanwoo beef, and herbal medicine, was a true celebration enjoyed by both citizens and tourists. We will continue to promote the unique charm of Yeongcheon through distinctive festivals that highlight our local resources."
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