Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed on September 21 that the recent festival successfully showcased the appeal of Daebu grapes and the efforts of local farmers to many citizens and tourists.
He noted that over 24,000 visitors attended the '2026 Ansan Daebu Grape Festival,' held at the Daebu Sea Aroma Theme Park from September 19 to 20, marking a successful conclusion.
The mayor emphasized that the festival aimed to promote the excellence of Daebu grapes while linking local agriculture with tourism to revitalize the local economy and enhance the competitiveness of Daebu Island.
This year's festival transcended a simple agricultural product event, aiming to elevate the brand value of Daebu grapes and create a community-oriented festival that directly connects producers and consumers.
Additionally, the festival featured a walking event along the Daebu Haesol-gil and the Ansan Marathon, allowing tourists to enjoy the natural beauty and local culture of Daebu Island.
Notably, an exhibition titled '40 Years of Ansan & 70 Years of Daebu Grapes' was set up to highlight the journey of Daebu grapes as a representative agricultural product of the region.
Collaborating with local universities, the festival also showcased desserts made from Daebu grapes and held a tasting event for the Grand Cru 'Cheongsu' wine, demonstrating the potential for commercialization and the sixth industrialization of local agricultural products.
Family-friendly activities, such as grape stomping and horseback riding, along with a direct sales market featuring local producers, received positive feedback from visitors.
In the inaugural 'Daebu Grape Quality Evaluation Auction,' the top prize grape was sold for 450,000 won, while the second and third prizes went for 300,000 won and 200,000 won, respectively. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Daebu Island community.
Visitors expressed enjoyment of the festival, appreciating the taste of Daebu grapes and the various experiential programs. One family from Ansan remarked, 'It was a great outing with the kids, as we got to stomp grapes and taste delicious Daebu grapes. I also learned that Daebu grapes are a representative agricultural product of Ansan.'
A local farmer stated, 'It was significant to directly introduce and sell Daebu grapes to many visitors. I hope this will enhance the quality and brand value of Daebu grapes.'
Mayor Lee emphasized, 'We will continue to promote the value of Daebu grapes and create festivals that citizens and visitors can enjoy safely.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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