CHEONGSONG — More than 2 million people have visited an online festival launched ahead of next month's Cheongsong Apple Festival in North Gyeongsang Province, building momentum for the event.
Cheongsong County said it is concentrating its resources, including stepped-up inspections across each area of preparation, to carry that online momentum into the Cheongsong Apple Festival, which marks its 20th anniversary this year.
According to the county on the 16th, the online festival runs from Sept. 24 through Nov. 8 and was designed so that anyone can enjoy Cheongsong apples and the festival regardless of time or location.
Cumulative visitors to the online festival topped 2.24 million as of the previous day, drawing strong interest.
Through the online festival, the county provides festival information as well as a range of participatory content, including online games and prize events, to generate interest and engagement.
The online festival can be accessed by searching for terms such as "Cheongsong," "Cheongsong County," "Cheongsong apple" or "Cheongsong Apple Festival" on the Daum portal site.
The offline Cheongsong Apple Festival opens on Nov. 4.
The county said it is making every effort in preparations so the festival can take another step forward, building on the reputation and competitiveness it has established.
Preparations are proceeding systematically across each area, from setting up the festival grounds and running programs to expanding visitor facilities and drawing up traffic and safety management measures.
"We are expanding both online and offline promotion ahead of the opening so that the interest and enthusiasm that began online will translate into actual visits to the festival grounds," Cheongsong County Governor Yoon Kyung-hee said. "We will do our best in preparations so that visitors can enjoy the festival safely and comfortably."