"This year is really different,"
The 2026 Hwacheon Tomato Festival kicked off on July 31 with a vibrant pre-festival event, showcasing a new look compared to previous years. The performance area was filled to capacity before the official opening, and food and activity areas were bustling with visitors. The festival duration has been extended from three days to ten, and the venue has been restructured, changes that were evident throughout the site.
At 5 p.m. on July 31, two hours before the opening, the roads surrounding the Hwacheon County Sain Sports Park were already congested with vehicles, and the parking lot quickly filled up. Buses carrying fans of celebrity performers arrived in droves, while families with children holding balloons made their way to the entrance.
The atmosphere inside the venue was already electric with festival excitement. The agricultural product sales area was crowded with customers even before the opening, and finding a seat at the packing stations and under the umbrellas was a challenge. Laughter from children echoed around the mini water play area, and the sheep experience at Daeseong Ranch attracted many young visitors and families. The misting facilities and expanded shaded areas were also well-received by attendees.
By 6:50 p.m., the seating in front of the main stage was nearly full. The host engaged the audience, building anticipation, while traditional performances and the 'Dokdo Arirang' played by a folk music group heightened the festival's excitement.
Final checks were underway throughout the venue. Officials, including Yang Jun-seop, head of the tourism policy department, Lee Tae-hoon, head of the education and welfare department, and Song Min-soo, head of the safety and construction department, were busy ensuring facilities and safety measures were in place for the opening.
As the opening approached, the performance area was packed with attendees. VIP seats were filled, and soldiers, residents, and tourists waved glow sticks and fanned themselves as they awaited the festival's start.
On stage, Jo Woong-hee, chair of the Hwacheon County Council, declared, "Today, the stars of the festival are the tourists, the soldiers of the Victory Unit, and the residents of Hwacheon," urging everyone to promote the festival and support Hwacheon's clean agricultural products.
Im Oe-taek, commander of the Army's 15th Infantry Division, expressed nostalgia for attending the tomato festival after 20 years, stating, "The Victory Unit will continue to engage with the community and actively participate in ensuring the festival's success."
Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon highlighted the changes in this year's festival, expressing hopes for revitalizing the local economy. He noted, "We moved the festival from the previous road to this location and extended the duration from three days to ten," aiming to increase income for local businesses and tomato farmers.
He added, "If this year's festival is successful, we will hold an even larger and longer event next year to support both farmers and the local economy. Enjoy the festival for ten days and please spend locally."
Attendees included Han Gi-ho, a member of the National Assembly, Kim Se-hoon, Hwacheon County Mayor, Yoo Jeong-bae, chair of the Hwacheon Festival Committee, Park Dae-hyun, chair of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Council, and Jo Woong-hee, chair of the Hwacheon County Council, who all celebrated the opening.
As singer Kim Da-hyun was appointed as the Hwacheon County ambassador, the venue erupted in cheers and applause. The opening declaration was followed by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky, with attendees capturing the moment on their phones.
Kim Da-hyun's performance further elevated the festival atmosphere. Even after the show ended, the audience remained, applauding and expressing their excitement for the festival, which will continue until August 9.
This year's pre-festival event was not just a simple opening ceremony but a demonstration of the changes in festival operations. The relocation of the venue and the extension of the festival duration aim to encourage longer stays and increased spending, as the crowds filling the venue from the start signaled a new beginning for Hwacheon's summer festival.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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