A festival showcasing Hanwoo beef, autumn flowers, and performances will take place in Cheolma-myeon, Gijang County.
Now in its 16th year, the Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival will expand its Hanwoo sales and experiential events, adding more autumn flower exhibits and youth performance programs.
Gijang County announced that the 16th Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival will be held from October 21 to 25 at the Cheolma Urban Agricultural Park (797-23 Gaejwa-ro, Cheolma-myeon). The event is organized by the Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival Promotion Committee.
At the festival, attendees can purchase Hanwoo at prices lower than those in the market and grill it on-site.
According to a county official, the selling prices for Hanwoo are planned to be about 20-30% lower than typical market prices, with final adjustments being made for specific cuts.
Although the festival promotes the local brand of Cheolma Hanwoo, not all beef sold will come from cattle raised in the Cheolma area.
A county representative explained that Hanwoo sourced from outside regions will also be available for sale. However, the exact proportion of Cheolma-raised beef in the total sales and the specific supply regions have not been confirmed.
A direct sales market for local agricultural products will also operate, allowing visitors to purchase items like rice produced in the Cheolma area directly from producers.
This year's festival will receive a total of 198.5 million won in subsidies from city and county funds, the same amount as last year, although the promotion committee's own financial contribution has increased compared to the previous year.
Gijang County reported that approximately 150,000 visitors attended last year's festival. This figure is an estimate and not based on separate statistical data from telecommunications or credit card usage.
The event program will be largely similar to last year, with some changes. The autumn flower exhibit, which started last year, will be expanded this year, and a new youth hip-hop dance performance will be added. However, the rodeo experience offered last year will not be included this year.
The autumn flower exhibit, featuring various seasonal flowers and large Hanwoo sculptures for photo opportunities, will be organized by the Gijang Flower Crop Association. A grasshopper-catching experience for families will also be available.
The signature event, making a giant bibimbap with raw beef, will take place daily throughout the festival. Other activities will include surprise auctions for Hanwoo, a singing contest for citizens, and performances by local artists, with special guests Shin Seung-tae, Kim Yong-bin, Chun-gil, and Yeom Yu-ri.
The Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival is held annually to promote local agricultural and livestock products and boost consumption. However, it appears that there are no separate year-round sales plans at the county level to expand the sale of Hanwoo from outside the region during the festival period.
Kim Geon-woo, chair of the Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival Promotion Committee, stated, "For this 16th festival, we have prepared experiences and performance programs that everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy. I hope many people visit the festival to enjoy delicious food and create warm memories."
Woo Seong-bin, the mayor of Gijang County, expressed, "I hope the Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival will showcase the excellence of local agricultural and livestock products and serve as a venue for harmony among residents and visitors. I encourage everyone to come and enjoy delicious food and various programs at the festival."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.