GEUMNAM-MYEON, Sejong — The Geumnam-myeon Sports Association and the Geumnam-myeon Community Autonomy Council successfully hosted the 12th Geumnam-myeon Harmony Sports Festival on October 31 at the Geumnam-myeon Comprehensive Sports Park, drawing a crowd of approximately 800 local residents.

This year’s event marked a meaningful milestone by integrating three previously separate events—the annual sports festival, the community autonomy program showcase, and the lantern festival—into a single, cohesive celebration. The unified approach preserved the unique charm of each program while fostering a vibrant atmosphere where different generations and villages could come together.

The day’s festivities kicked off with dynamic performances by local residents, featuring harmonica, shuffle dance, aerobics, and saxophone presentations from the community autonomy programs. Following the opening performances, attendees enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, including cheerful friendly games, a village talent show, and live performances by guest singers.

A wide array of nostalgic and interactive experience booths added a special flair to the event, offering something for all generations to enjoy together. Highlights included calligraphy and spinal health check-up booths, a retro stationery store, a vintage school uniform photo studio, and a throwback music lounge.

To boost the local economy, the festival also featured a special raffle event. Residents could participate simply by presenting receipts from local stores within Geumnam-myeon, helping drive foot traffic and support neighborhood merchants.

The grand finale of the event was a touching lighting ceremony, where residents lit lanterns inscribed with their personal wishes, reinforcing the values of neighborly harmony and community solidarity.

"This event is a precious fruit born from the collective effort of residents who have merged sports, culture, and community autonomy into a single grand festival," said Mayor Cho Sang-ho. "We will continue to listen closely to the voices of our residents and actively support them, ensuring that voluntary participation and harmony remain the driving forces behind regional development."

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