Poster for the 22nd Mungyeong Omija Festival. [Mungyeong City]
Poster for the 22nd Mungyeong Omija Festival. [Mungyeong City]

The 22nd Mungyeong Omija Festival will run Friday through Sunday at Geumcheon Dunchi in Dongno-myeon, Mungyeong.

This year's festival, themed "Mungyeong Omija: Taste and Health," will feature omija sales, hands-on experiences and performances, the city said Wednesday.

Moving beyond its previous focus on trot performances, the festival will offer a broader range of genres, including local singer showcases, classical vocal music, traditional Korean music and ballads.

The festival entrance will be redesigned with a triangular arch, and visitor experience programs will be expanded.

On top of an omija syrup-making workshop, activities will include bath bomb and lip balm crafting using omija, a wooden playground, an omija-themed photo zone and a floating pop-up lounge.

The tasting pavilion will expand its omija-based menu offerings. For the first time, the festival will also host a Mungyeong Omija quality competition, showcasing the taste and quality of locally grown omija.

At the festival grounds, fresh omija will be sold at 15,000 won ($11) per kilogram, while sugar-preserved omija will go for 90,000 won per 10 kilograms.

Other offerings will include a processed omija products booth, an agricultural specialty goods market, omija sales and snack stalls, food trucks and an omija wine stand.

On the final day, local singer performances and a Mungyeong Omija song contest will be held. Prize money for the contest will be awarded in Mungyeong Love gift certificates.

"We will help Mungyeong omija take a leap forward — from production and sales into an industry that combines tourism and culture," Mungyeong Mayor Kim Hak-hong said. "Through this, we will create a new engine of growth for Mungyeong."


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