The 23rd Sacheon Natural Jeon-eo Festival, celebrating the summer delicacy of jeon-eo, will take place from August 20 to 23 at the Palpo Food Specialization District in Sacheon City, South Gyeongsang Province.
With the slogan "Eat, Play, and Sleep Well!", the festival will feature a variety of experiential events and performances centered around the rich and tender summer jeon-eo.
Each day at 3:30 PM, attendees can participate in a "barehanded jeon-eo catching experience." The festival will also include interactive stages such as "I Am a Singer (Karaoke)" and a "Video Quiz Show." On August 20, 22, and 23, a free tasting of jeon-eo will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 6 PM. However, the city has noted that the quantity available for tasting may vary depending on the supply and price fluctuations of jeon-eo.
On the second day of the festival, August 21, an opening ceremony will be held at 8 PM, followed by a fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Additionally, "Trot Day" will kick off on August 20, with "Gaksul Day" events featuring invited singers and local artists scheduled for August 22 and 23.
The prices for jeon-eo dishes at participating vendors in the Palpo Food Specialization District will be transparently standardized. According to the city, the prices are set at 30,000 won for jeon-eo sashimi, 15,000 won for jeon-eo bibimbap, and 10,000 won for grilled jeon-eo, all of which will be clearly displayed on outdoor banners for visitors. The city will also conduct daily inspections in collaboration with health authorities to ensure the origin and hygiene of the seafood, in line with the "natural" designation.
This year's festival has a budget of 145 million won, fully funded by the city. Following last year's attendance of approximately 90,000 visitors, a similar turnout is expected this year, prompting the city to prioritize safety management.
A total of 287 parking spaces have been secured near the festival site, including 187 spaces at the Sacheon Port public parking lot and 100 at a temporary parking area. Police and security personnel will be deployed on-site to manage traffic control.
To prevent safety incidents due to crowding, participation in the popular barehanded jeon-eo catching experience will be limited to 50 people per session, with the festival organizing committee overseeing the management. Plans to address natural disasters, such as heatwaves, have also been incorporated into the safety management strategy.
Jang Je-young, chair of the Jeon-eo Festival organizing committee, stated, "Sacheon summer jeon-eo is a delicious summer delicacy with a light and nutty flavor. I hope everyone enjoys the romance of Sacheon Port's blue sea and the beautiful summer nights, creating unforgettable memories."
After the festival concludes, Sacheon City plans to separately tally the sales of jeon-eo and other seafood during the event for future festival planning.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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