Welcoming the New Year with Citizens
A Night of Performances, Drones, and Fireworks
On December 31, Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province held the '2026 Gumi City New Hope Countdown' event at the Dongrak Park Plaza, wishing for a peaceful and prosperous New Year together with its citizens. The event concluded with enthusiastic participation from the public and was praised as an interactive festival, moving away from the traditional ceremony-focused format.
The event kicked off with a 'boom-up' segment, featuring citizen participation events and content from YouTubers to energize the atmosphere.
This was followed by performances from Daybreak and Lightsum, the countdown to 2026, and a drone light show featuring 600 drones, all of which kept the excitement going throughout the evening.
The grand finale was a fireworks show with over 5,000 rounds, creating a symbolic moment to mark the start of the New Year and drawing cheers from the crowd.
Gumi City prioritized safety and comfort by significantly expanding the event space.
The city strategically arranged the Sensibility Food Zone (food trucks, photo zones, Romantic Road), the Mountain and Sea Delicacies Self-Grill Zone (self-grilled skewers), and the Free Zone (offering free fish cakes, tea, and hand warmers), in order to disperse visitors and improve the flow of movement throughout the venue.
As a result, the city effectively reduced crowd density, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for families and all attendees.
This year's event was a collaborative effort with the Jinpyeong Culinary Culture Street Merchants' Association and involved local food truck businesses, establishing a festival model that supports the local commercial district.
Through these efforts, the event not only attracted citizens and visitors but also achieved tangible results in revitalizing the local economy.
Gumi City Mayor Kim Jangho said, "It was meaningful to share the start of the New Year with our citizens," adding, "I hope this event serves as an opportunity to deliver a message of hope and encouragement to the community."
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