Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival to Be Held at Mangdeok Port Area from September 12 to 14

A Feast of the Sea:
Diverse Hands-On Experience Programs

South Jeolla Province’s Gwangyang City announced on August 5 that the 24th Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival will be held under the theme "A Night Under the Stars! A Feast of the Sea Delivered by Jeoneo" for three days from September 12 to 14 at the Mangdeok Port area in Jinwol-myeon.

This year’s festival is centered around hands-on programs that allow tourists to participate directly. The main programs include a bare-handed Jeoneo catching experience, the Jinwol Tourist Stamp Tour, and a national essay and drawing contest for elementary school students. In addition, the festival will offer a variety of sights for citizens and visitors, such as nighttime views of Baaldo Island Garden and the Starry Night Bridge.

Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival Poster.

On the first day, September 12, the mixed trio folk group Pandora will perform, and the preliminary round of the Jeoneo Song Festival will take place. On the second day, September 13, the opening ceremony will be held along with the national elementary school essay and drawing contest, the highly popular Jeoneo catching experience, a demonstration of Jeoneo Catching Songs, a Jeonnam Intangible Cultural Heritage, a demonstration of offshore Jeoneo fishing boats, and celebratory performances by guest singers Son Bina and Mokbi.

On the final day, September 14, the awards ceremony for the essay and drawing contest, Jeoneo catching experience, resident self-governance dance competition, and the finals of the Jeoneo Song Festival will be held. The festival will conclude with celebratory performances by popular singers Kim Yang and Park Sunghyun.

Notably, for the first time since the festival’s inception, there will be a live "offshore Jeoneo fishing demonstration," providing visitors with a new and unique attraction.

In front of the Jeong Byeonguk House, a special stage called "Music Busking with the Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry" will be held three times a day on both Saturday and Sunday, offering a unique blend of live music and poetry readings.

Additionally, the Jinwol Tourist Stamp Tour, where families can participate together and enjoy a plate of Jeoneo, will provide a wide range of experiences for visitors, including things to see, enjoy, and taste.

The festival venue, Mangdeok Port, is located about five minutes by car from Gwangyang Jinwol IC and is easily accessible via National Road No. 2. During the festival, the Mangdeok Food Town Street area will operate as a "car-free street." Visitors arriving by car can use the temporary parking lot near the festival entrance, marked by a Jeoneo sculpture, as well as the public parking lot behind Jinwol Elementary School.

Lee Gichun, Chairman of the Gwangyang Jeoneo Festival Promotion Committee, stated, "This year’s Jeoneo Festival aims to invigorate the local economy while ensuring the safety of visitors by installing sunshades and taking thorough measures to prevent accidents during the hot weather. We are preparing so that everyone can enjoy the festival with peace of mind." He added, "As Gwangyang’s representative festival, I hope it will be a joyful event where families, friends, and couples can all enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seomjin River and the savory taste of Jeoneo together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.