670,000 Flock to Nonsan Strawberry Festival... 150 Tons Sold Out in Record-Breaking Success

Opening ceremony of the Nonsan Strawberry Festival / Photo by Nonsan City Hall

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The 28th Nonsan Strawberry Festival attracted a record 670,000 visitors, making it the most successful event in its history. Beyond being a simple local festival, it is being evaluated as a 'proving ground' that demonstrated the potential for the 2027 World Strawberry Industry Expo.

According to Nonsan City on March 29, approximately 670,000 people visited the festival this year. Strawberry sales reached 150 tons, generating revenue of 1.52 billion won-an increase of about 200 million won compared to the previous year.

The festival saw a nationwide influx of visitors, with the venue bustling with crowds every day. Strawberry sales booths, as well as the dessert zone offering strawberry soboro and mochi, sold out early each day.

Family-oriented programs such as the children's experience zone, nature play, helicopter experience, military experience, and strawberry seedling planting all received positive responses, encouraging visitors to extend their stay.

In particular, merchandise featuring the character "Sweet Bell and the Three Musketeers" sold out daily, leading to reservation sales and confirming the potential for content creation based on strawberry-themed products.

Additionally, local restaurants, cafes, and accommodation businesses benefited from increased spending, revitalizing the regional economy as a whole.

This year's festival expanded both in scale and completeness, featuring a smart farm promotional hall, a strawberry dessert cafe, and increased participation from large companies.

Stay-type infrastructure, such as expanded rest areas, was also strengthened, further enhancing operational stability and content competitiveness.

This year’s festival served as a preliminary rehearsal for the upcoming 2027 Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo. The success of globalization and content strategies proved the potential for the industrial expansion of Nonsan strawberries.

Mayor Baek Seonghyeon stated, "The success of the festival is the result of cooperation between local citizens and visitors," adding, "We will bring K-Nonsan Berries to the global stage." He further said, "We will return after taking a leap forward through the Expo."

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