Friday-Saturday night tourism event along Goheung Market stream — drone show at Nokdong Port also on offer
Goheung-gun in South Jeolla Province will hold its popular "Byeolbyeol Night Market" three times this year, following the event's strong debut last fall.
The market first opened for five days in October last year to help boost the local economy, drawing an unexpectedly large crowd of around 5,000 visitors and generating cumulative sales of roughly 80 million won (about $58,000).
Goheung-gun announced Monday that the market will run three times along the stream near Goheung-eup's traditional market from June 26 through Aug. 29, with the aim of revitalizing the traditional market district and energizing the local economy.
This year's Byeolbyeol Night Market will be held on the last Friday and Saturday of each month — June 26-27, July 24-25 and Aug. 28-29 — from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
The event falls on Fridays and Saturdays regardless of Goheung's traditional market days, which fall on days ending in 4 or 9. Combining food, cultural performances and hands-on activities, the night market is designed to offer residents and tourists a fresh experience while injecting new energy into the traditional market district.
Twelve food booths will serve a range of dishes, including menus featuring local Goheung specialties such as cuttlefish and short-neck clams alongside charcoal-grilled fish, street snacks, tacos and fried foods.
A flea market with 13 booths run by local youth artists and small-business owners will offer calligraphy experiences, handcrafted goods, lifestyle items and natural-dye products.
Cultural performances will include K-pop sets by a youth dance team, a concert by the Cheongchun Wind Orchestra, professional DJ sets, a bubble show and live singer performances — something for all ages.
To encourage spending at the traditional market, a joint-consumption event will offer prizes — including brewery pub vouchers — to customers who spend 20,000 won (about $13) or more in combined receipts from the night market and the traditional market on the day of each event.
Goheung craft beer will also be sold at a 50 percent discount during the market's run, giving visitors an added incentive to attend.
Visitors can also pair their trip with nearby events. Nokdong Port in Doyang-eup hosts a busking performance at 8 p.m. every Saturday followed by a drone show at 9 p.m., running from April through October this year. Goheung Gunmin Plaza in front of the county office holds a vocal performance at 8 p.m. on the last Friday of each month, also followed by a drone show at 9 p.m.
"We hope residents and tourists will come with family and friends, enjoy delicious food and diverse performances, and create special memories," a county official said.
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