ICHEON, Gyeonggi Province — The 25th Icheon Rice Culture Festival, which opened Oct. 14, ran for five days through Oct. 18 at Bokhacheon Waterfront Park. The city said the festival drew 345,000 visitors, up 48 percent from last year, while on-site sales of rice and local produce reached about 20 billion won, up 35 percent.
At the heart of the festival, once again, was a giant cauldron. The event “2,000 Servings for 2,000 Won” serves freshly cooked new rice from a 320-kilogram cauldron heated over a wood fire to 2,000 people at 2,000 won per bowl. Long lines formed even before it began. Visitors topped their rice with kimchi and gochujang to make bibimbap. The event was held daily at noon and 2 p.m., alongside the “600-meter Rainbow Garaetteok Pulling,” in which visitors took part.
On opening day, a “King’s Tribute Procession” reenacted the Joseon-era delivery of Icheon rice to the royal court. The Icheon Rice Master Competition, in which participants compete in rice-cooking skills, and an opening performance praying for a good harvest followed. Programs for families included a harvest sports day, grasshopper tag and a rice fortune-telling event, along with the Icheon Advanced Drone Competition and a drone show.
The change of venue was another new feature this year. The city moved the festival to Bokhacheon Waterfront Park, closer to downtown, and expanded parking and transportation options. As the new-rice experience led visitors to the direct-sales market, some booths ran out of stock earlier than expected.
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