Cherry blossom festival successfully ended on April 6 after receiving over 200,000 springtime visitors in three days
Closing “Making Memories by Taking a Photo with the Governor” event gains popularity

◇ The “Making Memories by Taking a Photo with the Governor” event was held in the quad of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on April 6, the last day of Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival 2014. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival successfully ended on April 6 after receiving over 200,000 visitors. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government hosted the event in and around its complex for three days starting from April 4, which was two weeks earlier than last year.

The government complex is surrounded by more than 200 large cherry trees over 40 years old that bear magnificent cherry blossoms. Every year, springtime visitors come from all over the country to see the cherry blossoms during the festival period.

Unlike previous festivals during which various events took place, this year’s festival scaled back massive performances; instead, various booths reflecting public interests and experiences were provided for visitors so as to enable the appreciation of the cherry blossoms in a more peaceful environment.

There was an emergency rescue performance prepared by the Gyeonggi Fire & Disaster Headquarters and 80 university students majoring in emergency rescue, and various booths featuring themes such as Gyeonggi Province’s 600-year history as well as abandoned dogs and sex education. Over 40 experiential programs were also provided, including badge-making, inscription-rubbing organized by the Museum of Silhak, a children’s fire extinguisher experience organized by the Yongin Fire Station, and miniature pony-feeding organized by the Korea Equestrians.

Of particular note, a nighttime cherry blossom illumination event provided a new attraction wholly different from the daytime, highlighting the cherry blossoms along the trail around the complex.

◇ Children’s Fire Extinguisher Experience. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

◇ Even without special performances or events, over 200,000 people visited during the festival period this year. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

The “Making Memories by Taking a Photo with the Governor” event was held on the last day of the festival, and featured Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo who posed for photos with visitors.

“I’ve never seen so many people at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex,” said Jeong So-ra (age 28, Suwon), who visited the festival venue with her father. “It’s going to be even more memorable because I got a picture taken with the governor.”

“It’s been eight years since I came to Korea, and it’s the second time I have come to the provincial government’s cherry blossom festival,” said Cansomali (age 33, Yongin), a Cambodian marriage immigrant who visited the venue with her daughter. “My daughter’s favorite event was the fire station program.”

Even without special performances or events, over 200,000 people visited the festival this year and turned the complex into a national tourist spot for cherry blossoms. Gyeonggi Province will continue to hold this event for visitors annually, making their convenience its first priority.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the police, the Korea Best Drivers, volunteers, school staff and residents for cooperating with us in ensuring visitor safety and traffic order during the festival,” said Lee Dae-jik, Director General of Gyeonggi Province’s General Affairs Division.

Over 30 Gyeonggi Provincial Government labor unionists contributed to the success of the festival by volunteering to collect garbage during the event.

◇ Cherry blossoms around the complex. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Kim Jin-kyoung jinkyoung_kim@nate.com 

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