Bonghwa-gun chief promises 'special summer memories' at 28th Sweetfish Festival

"This summer, the Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival has evolved one step further into a family-oriented summer festival — an exciting playground for children and a comfortable retreat for parents."

Bonghwa-gun chief Choi Ki-young made the remarks Tuesday in an interview ahead of the 28th Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival, set to run for nine days from July 25 to Aug. 2 along the Naeseongcheon River in Bonghwa-eup. He added that this year's sweetfish-catching experiences had been enriched and that content and facilities had been significantly expanded so families could spend an entire day at the festival.

The following is an edited transcript of the interview.

— What is the biggest change at this year's Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival?

▲ The core concept this year is a "family summer retreat festival." We have created plenty of spaces where children can play freely and parents can relax. While keeping the traditional sweetfish-catching experience intact, we have added a kids cafe, a playground, a children's water park, a sand play area and a large indoor rest area — all new additions designed so the whole family can enjoy the festival from morning to night.

— How will the sweetfish-catching experience, the festival's signature attraction, be run?

▲ The signature bandujabi — catching fish with a traditional scoop net — will be held three times daily, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The bare-hands catching experience will run three times on weekdays and four times on weekends so more tourists can take part. Both can be booked on-site or reserved online in advance, and a portion of the participation fee will be refunded as Bonghwa Love gift vouchers redeemable at the festival grounds and local businesses.

— I understand competitive programs have also been strengthened this year.

▲ That's right. Competitive fish-catching contests — for both the scoop-net and bare-hands formats — will be held as on-site participation events to add a fun competitive element. We have also organized the "Sweetfish Championship: War of Unity," bringing together the county office, county council, police and fire department. A "B-Global Bandujabi Challenge" for foreign tourists will also be held, as we work to make the Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival a summer event enjoyed by people from around the world.

— How have the facilities for family visitors changed?

▲ This was our top priority. The "Euneorang Poljjak Kids Cafe" will operate as an air-conditioned indoor play space with a dedicated rest area for parents. On the Naeseongcheon River, we will run the "Euneo Family Playground," where anyone can use life jackets and tubes free of charge. A children's water park and sand play area have also been set up so children can enjoy water activities safely while parents relax.

— Heat waves have continued recently. What preparations have been made?

▲ Absolutely. Visitor safety and comfort were our foremost concern this year. We will operate the "Euneo Healing Station Center" as a large indoor rest area where people can wait for experiences and rest at the same time. Children's activity spaces and food areas have been incorporated as well, so visitors can enjoy the festival comfortably even in the intense summer heat.

— I hear the evening program has also been strengthened.

▲ A festival should not end when the sun goes down — it needs to continue into the night. Centered on the "Silver Delivery Pub," we have linked food trucks and local restaurant delivery services so visitors can relax and watch performances at their leisure. From the opening performance to a Choi Baek-ho heartstrings concert, a new-retro water splash show and an Euneo Crush water splash show, we have prepared performances tailored to every generation, with the aim of running the festival as a destination event that keeps visitors staying overnight.

— The festival is also expected to help revitalize the local economy.

▲ Energizing the local economy through the festival is a key goal. By offering Bonghwa Love gift voucher refunds, we will encourage visitors to spend at local businesses. We will also link local restaurants, food trucks and sales of regional agricultural products so that tourist spending flows naturally back into the local economy.

— Finally, do you have a message for prospective visitors?

▲ We have prepared a festival where visitors can catch sweetfish with their own hands in the pristine natural setting of Bonghwa's Naeseongcheon River, enjoy cool water activities, take in a variety of performances and savor delicious food — all in one place. It will be a festival that gives children unforgettable summer memories and offers parents a chance to truly unwind. I hope everyone will visit the 28th Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival this year and take home many special summer memories.