The "Gangneung Marine Leisure Pet Family Healing Festival," where dogs get a taste of ocean activities, will be held at Anmok Beach in Gangneung on Saturday and Sunday.
The public "companion picnic" event is hosted by Gangwon Province and Gangneung City and organized by the Gangneung Tourism Promotion Association.
The festival was designed to use Gangneung's clean marine resources to create a distinctive resort culture where pet-owning families can relax with peace of mind.
At Anmok Beach, a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) competition will anchor a lineup of activities and side events running throughout the weekend. On Sunday in particular, a boat fishing competition will be held at Sacheon Port, offering visitors a full slate of entertainment.
The event shows how a tourism concept that started with pets has expanded all the way to fishing — much like how Gwangmyeong Cave, which began as a renovation project, grew into a destination spanning a winery and a "The Lord of the Rings" experience.
Main programs for pet-owning families include a pine forest hike where participants search for hidden treasure with their dogs, a sand-digging activity on the beach designed to awaken a pet's natural instincts, and a singing bowl yoga session for relaxation by the sea.
A dedicated pet beach zone equipped with safety fences and parasols will also be set up so families can enjoy a seaside picnic safely with their animals.
Alongside this, a marine flyboard performance — a thrilling water show open to all spectators — will take place at the venue.
The free yacht experience that proved popular last year will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day. A flea market selling pet supplies and handcrafted goods, along with food trucks, will also operate at the festival grounds.
Eom Geum-mun, head of Gangneung City's tourism policy division, said the festival is "a pet-friendly event that draws on Gangneung's pristine marine resources at a time when the number of companion animal owners has reached 10 million." He added that he hoped "many residents and tourists will join us and experience firsthand the charm of Gangneung as a city worth staying in."
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