![Visitors take part in a pine mushroom auction at the Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival. [Bonghwa-gun]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/19/news-p.v1.20261019.7c117bf34d21498287661758c8f3c093_P1.jpg)
The 30th Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival wrapped up its four-day run with strong visitor turnout, drawing crowds through discounts, auctions, food offerings and hands-on activities despite a poor pine mushroom harvest this year.
According to Bonghwa-gun, the festival ran from Thursday to Sunday along the Naeseongcheon stream in Bonghwa-eup under the slogan "30 Years of Deep Fragrance, Coloring Bonghwa!" It featured measures to ease the cost of buying pine mushrooms alongside regional specialty products and traditional cultural experiences, giving visitors a rich autumn outing.
A highlight was the "One Mushroom Time Auction," which let visitors bid on individually packaged pine mushrooms, combining the thrill of an auction with the chance to buy in small quantities. On-site events also distributed 20,000-won ($15) pine mushroom discount vouchers to ease purchasing costs.
"Naeseongcheon Pine Mushroom Ramyun," priced at 5,000 won a bowl, was another crowd-pleaser. Visitors received a meal kit containing pine mushrooms, ramyun and a dedicated pot, then cooked and ate it on the spot — a low-cost way to enjoy the mushroom's aroma and flavor firsthand.
A Bonghwa Love Gift Certificate booth operated by the main branch of Bonghwa-gun Saemaul Credit Union offered discounts of up to 60,000 won on purchases of 500,000 won worth of gift certificates. The certificates were redeemable at festival vendors, helping boost the local economy.
The food program showcased a range of Bonghwa flavors — herbal beef, mushroom dishes, local farm produce and traditional liquor. The "Pine Mushroom & Herbal Beef Square" brought together a pine mushroom sales booth, a direct-sale herbal beef counter and a restaurant under one roof, and held a free herbal beef bulgogi tasting.
Mushroom kimbap, mushroom fritters and mushroom galbi rice patties drew steady interest, as did local farm products including apples and chili peppers. A traditional liquor experience, tastings at local restaurant booths and a food delivery zone called "Delivery Zone" were also on offer.
Interactive programs kept visitors engaged throughout — bracelet-making, hanbok dress-up, mini bowling and a retro prize-draw game with guaranteed prizes. Many visitors who sampled food went on to purchase local produce, blending eating, activities and shopping into a single festival experience.
A 30th-anniversary commemorative space also drew attention. Along the "Seoreu Forest Path" on the Naeseongcheon Sewol Bridge, visitors could look back on three decades of the festival through a timeline display and archival photographs.
At the center of the Pine Mushroom & Herbal Beef Square stood a decorative "Pine Tree," inspired by Bonghwa's Chunyang pine and designed to embody the spirit of the festival. Visitors posed for commemorative photos and made wishes, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
During the festival, traditional cultural events tied to the 43rd Cheongnyangmunhwaje cultural festival were held alongside "Challenge! Pine Mushroom Golden Bell," the second Bonghwa Global Song Festival and a drone light show that lit up the night sky over the Naeseongcheon.
On the final day, the closing ceremony began at 7 p.m. following the 2026 Silver Star Competition finals, capping the event with congratulatory performances by Cheonrokdam, Haru, Kim So-yeon and Jeon Yu-jin.
"This festival was prepared so that visitors could fully enjoy the flavors of Bonghwa and take home rich memories," Bonghwa-gun County Chief Choi Ki-young said. "Building on the achievements made together with residents, local producers and participating organizations, we will continue developing this into a festival people want to return to."
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
