The Dunae Highland Tomato Festival in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Province, opened Friday and runs through Sunday at Dunae General Sports Park, with Liberation Day on Saturday marking the event's peak.
Now in its 15th year, the festival carries the theme "Drenched in Tomatoes! Cool Off with Water Play!" and has significantly expanded its lineup of new family-oriented programs, including tomato keychain making, a children's magic show and tomato tanghuru making.
The festival committee is also operating a water play area, water slides and inflatable bounce structures to help visitors beat the midsummer heat.
The festival's signature event, "Find the Gold Ring," invites visitors to search for hidden treasures buried among tomatoes in a tomato pool. It runs five times over the three days — at 4 p.m. on the first day, and at noon and 4 p.m. on each of the second and third days. Those who find a treasure receive prizes including a gold ring (3 don), highland tomatoes from Dunae and local agricultural gift sets.
On Saturday afternoon, Dunae Complex Sports Center will host a recording session for "KBS Jeonguknoraejarang," the KBS national singing competition, featuring the Hoengseong-gun episode.
A tribute singer concert, "Dunae Starry Night Time Machine," is scheduled for Saturday evening, and the festival closes with a ceremony Sunday evening.
Chu Yeon-ho, chairman of the Dunae Highland Tomato Festival committee, said organizers had carefully prepared a full slate of hands-on programs and activities for visitors to the 15th edition. "We will make this the best summer festival where everyone who comes can be satisfied and have a great time," he said.
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