Saturday's lineup features teen band and vocal competitions, dance performances, and a career fair — with hands-on activities spanning AI, science, traditional crafts and more
Guro-gu will hold the 11th Guro Youth Festival on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wooshin High School athletic field.
This year's festival is themed "Take Off from the Everyday, Land in Healing," offering young people a chance to step away from academics and daily routines to showcase their talents and explore a wide range of activities.
Organizers incorporated youth input throughout the planning process — students helped prepare the event and the youth representative council selected the festival slogan. About 3,000 participants are expected, including teenagers, parents, teachers and local residents.
The program kicks off at 11 a.m. with a joint performance by a nanta percussion troupe and a cheer squad, followed by a set from Gugudan, a group affiliated with the Guro-gu Community Child Center Council. An opening ceremony at noon gives way to a band and vocal competition featuring 13 youth teams starting at 1 p.m., with a dance showcase by nine teams beginning at 4:20 p.m.
Guest artists VNX, BbGirls and Wonsstein are also set to perform, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Throughout the venue, a variety of hands-on programs will give young people the opportunity to discover their interests and aptitudes.
A career exploration fair will let visitors try out roles such as flight attendant, nurse and soldier, and experience emerging technologies including AI robots and virtual reality.
A student science fair will offer 26 programs prepared by local students, covering AI and Internet of Things technology as well as chemistry and life science experiments.
Community education organizations and school clubs will also take part, presenting activities such as woodworking, baking and traditional games. Additional attractions include personal color consultations, tarot readings, instant photo booths and designated rest areas.
In the event of rain, major performances may be moved to the Wooshin High School gymnasium depending on weather conditions, and the detailed schedule and programs are subject to change based on on-site circumstances.
"Since this is a festival that young people are building themselves, I hope it becomes a time for them to freely showcase their talents and gain new experiences," Guro-gu District Mayor Jang In-hong said. "We will make sure it is a festival that families and local residents can all enjoy together, not just the youth."
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