[Gyeonggi Autumn Festival] Let’s play together with cartoon characters! 2014 Tooni Festival

Have you ever imagined cartoon characters jumping out of the TV set and playing together with kids on a wide green lawn? Such a dream is realized at Let’s Run Park Seoul, a family park. The 2014 Tooni Festival, which went into a resting phase during the opening days of the new semester, once again opened its doors on September 20.  

Beloved cartoon characters are all gathered here!

As soon as I entered Let’s Run Park Seoul, I heard kids laughing from afar. The epicenter is the plaza lawn. On the green grass, as lively and vibrant as the children, dozens of kids are screaming for joy. Watching the kids’ smiles, like those of angels, I couldn’t help letting a smile grow on my face. At that moment, something familiar caught my eye — a boy in a green jacket, wearing a red ribbon tie and a pair of glasses that are three times bigger than his eyes. It is Detective Conan. 

The atmosphere is quite unique here. Behind Detective Conan, Sergeant Keroro welcomes and salutes people, and next to him are characters of Top Plate, spinning tops that are so popular among children nowadays. It felt as if I had been sucked into a TV screen. Seeing a sign that read ‘Tooni Festival,’ I realized it was the actual site of the 2014 Tooni Festival.

A variety of experiential booths, the cause of much laughter among children

Kids, just arriving at the event site, are in a quandary over where they should go first. It must not be an easy decision for them to make. Tooni Festival is not merely exhibition featuring cartoon characters; the organizers of Tooni Festival have carefully prepared diverse experiential programs that reflect the characters and characteristics of cartoons. 

Next to Detective Conan, who hits a criminal with a soccer ball to make an arrest, a soccer ground has been set up. In the Top Plate booth, diverse tops are available for kids to play with. Other experiential programs such as the baseball game of ‘Hello Jadoo’ and the mission game of ‘Crayon Shin Chan’ are also nicely arranged. In addition, with ‘Tooni Survival’ and ‘Tooni Sports,’ comprised of various missions and hurdles, the festival is nothing short of fantastic.  

All things taken together, I have to say the best part of Tooni Festival is the experiential booth ‘Ghost Story Restaurant,’ which has enjoyed tremendous popularity throughout the five-year history of Tooni Festival. This year’s Ghost Story Restaurant, in particular, is very well received by visitors as it has changed from its previous format of presenting a house haunted by a ghost to a game of hide-and-seek played with ghosts and cartoon characters. This year’s festival operates a total of 13 experiential booths, and all are packed with excitement and joy. People say that ‘children’s laughter does not lie.’ The sky rings with children’s laughter, and there are ample reasons for that.

A fun-filled outdoor festival for the entire family, Tooni Festival

Tooni Festival, now in its fifth year, is the nation’s grandest experiential festival for children. Up until last year, it took place alternately in Seoul and Busan during the summer and winter vacation seasons. This year’s Tooni Festival, after the signing of an MOU with the Korean Horse Affairs Association, is held on the plaza lawn of Let’s Run Park Seoul.

The choice of location made by the host of Tooni Festival, CJ E&M Tooniverse, is outstanding not only as both an outing and an event that can be enjoyed together, but also for its outdoor games, which are more diverse than indoor games. The venue is perfect for this year’s concept of ‘family festival.’ Families have great fun participating in various experiential programs, and event organizers feel rewarded watching those families. It is a ‘virtuous circle of happiness.’ This year’s Tooni Festival is clearly playing its part as a true festival where people can get together and enjoy everything as one. What an exciting outdoor festival for whole family! How about having a good time with famous cartoon characters in this autumn?

<Mini Interview> Discussing the 2014 Tooni Festival with the event manager, CJ E&M Tooniverse Kids Business Team PD Lee Seon-hui

Q. What made you plan Tooni Festival?

A. ‘Tooniverse’ is a channel for children. We’ve held diverse events with the goal of offering wholesome entertainment to children, and Tooni Festival is one of them. With that goal in mind, we’ve selected contents that appeal to children aged 4 to 11 years.

Q. Until last year, the festival was held indoors. What is the reason for changing it to an outdoor area?

A. Let’s Run Park Seoul is a family park, and quite well arranged. It is a good place for the entire family. We thought it would be nice for many people to enjoy an outing as well as our Tooni Festival at this park. 

Q. What do parents and children think about Tooni Festival?

A. The festival is very well received. An average of some 300 children participate in the event and, at times, the number reaches as many as 700. There are few safe places in which children can play nowadays. I guess that is also why both parents and children love the festival a lot.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to Gyeonggi residents?

A. The weather these days is good for family outings. I hope that many people will come to Tooni Festival and spend a meaningful day enjoying various experiential programs and sharing stories with family members. We have everything in readiness to welcome Gyeonggi residents. Thank you.

http://ggholic.tistory.com/9160