[Provided by Uljin-gun]
[Provided by Uljin-gun]

Uljin-gun in North Gyeongsang Province will hold the 2026 Waki Waki Byeolnan Festival at Uljin Bajige Market over two days this Friday and Saturday, the county announced Monday.

Organized by the Uljin Bajige Market Merchants' Association, the festival is designed to offer visitors a fresh experience at the traditional market through hat competitions, performances and family activity programs.

The centerpiece event, the "Byeolnan Hat Festival," invites participants to showcase hats inspired by the bajige — a traditional A-frame carrier — Uljin's local specialties and stories from the market. A parade and final competition on Saturday will determine the "Byeolnan Hat King."

Alongside this, the program includes a traditional market yard play, performances by local singers, and magic and dance shows, as well as hands-on activities such as flipping potato pancakes, pounding rice cakes and making Dubai Chewy Cookies.

A food market featuring both established and young vendors will run alongside discount events. A highlight is the "Han-sang Damgi" event, in which visitors fill a single tray with dishes from multiple stalls — an initiative aimed at extending visitors' time in the market and driving actual spending.

Advance registration for the hat competition is open on the festival website until 6 p.m. Tuesday, with on-site registration also available.

Uljin-gun Mayor Hwang I-ju said the county hopes the festival will be "a place where families can linger, enjoy the food and stories of a traditional market together," adding that it will continue to support and promote traditional markets and small businesses.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com