Suncheon Garden Expo, Grand Fireworks Celebrate with 100,000 Crowd

Published 25 Sep.2023 12:02(KST)

Twice the Expected Number of Visitors Gathered

Citizen Awareness Shines with No Safety Accidents or Littering

The 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo multimedia fireworks show attracted a record-breaking crowd.

On the 23rd, the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo Organizing Committee (Chairman Noh Gwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon) announced that approximately 100,000 spectators gathered at the Ocheon Green Plaza, Green Island, and Dongcheon areas for the event.

[Photo by Suncheon City]

Initially, the organizing committee expected about 50,000 attendees, but with more than double that number showing up, this fireworks show recorded the highest attendance among solo events held at Ocheon Green Plaza during the expo period.

Visitors began spreading mats and securing spots at Ocheon Green Plaza several hours before the event started. By the time the pre-performance, "Kim Hyun-chul's Cheerful Orchestra," began its first song, the 60,000-pyeong plaza was packed. In the Ocheon-dong area, mobile phones temporarily lost signal and restaurants were overwhelmed, reflecting the immense popularity of the fireworks show.

Unlike previous fireworks shows held over the sea, this garden expo fireworks show was set against the backdrop of the garden, adding a special touch. Hanwha, with its world-class technology and expertise, presented a spectacular fireworks display that decorated the autumn sky with lighting, lasers, and music, gifting memories and emotions to the spectators who came out to the plaza with their loved ones.

Noh Gwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon, who prepared the fireworks show, said, "I am proud of the citizens of Suncheon who have endured the long rainy season and heatwave and demonstrated how Korean cities should transform through the garden expo." He added, "Enjoy today's wonderful performance and let’s successfully complete the remaining 40 days of the expo to create an even more magnificent Suncheon."

Children, who had been holding their breath just before the fireworks show, continuously expressed amazement as the fireworks ignited using drones.

Visitors commented, "We came early to secure front seats and it was worth the wait," and "In Seoul, watching a fireworks show is like a battle, but it was nice to watch so leisurely on the grass. I was worried about the crowd, but it seems to have become a great memory for the kids."

Immediately after the event, despite the gathering of 100,000 spectators, there were no safety incidents and almost no litter was left behind.

An organizing committee official stated, "During the upcoming Chuseok golden holiday period, we plan to continuously present high-quality cultural performances including solo concerts by Lee Seung-hwan, Kim Yeon-woo, and La Poem, as well as folk and trot concerts." They added, "Please be sure to visit Suncheon this Chuseok and October to not miss the essence of the autumn garden."