The Geumsa Melon Festival, the only Korean melon festival in the greater Seoul region, will be held for three days from May 22 to 24 in Geumsa-myeon, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.
According to the Yeoju city government on May 14, this year's festival marks its 20th edition and boasts strong recognition, drawing approximately 100,000 visitors last year. Although it is a town-level local festival run voluntarily by residents, it has established itself as a representative agricultural festival in the greater Seoul area thanks to the outstanding quality and reputation of Geumsa melons.
The festival's star, the Geumsa melon, is cultivated with the clear waters of the upper Namhan River, fertile soil, and abundant sunlight, earning recognition for its top-tier quality in Korea. It features thin skin and a crisp texture, and captivates consumers with its high sugar content and distinctively fragrant flavor. In particular, the flagship variety "Haengbok Plus" offers a sweet yet refreshing taste, with sugar content exceeding 15 Brix.
At the festival venue, Geumsa Neighborhood Park, 25 melon farms will participate this year to sell melons they have cultivated themselves. Visitors can sample the melons while comparing differences in taste and growing conditions across farms. Various processed foods using melons, such as kimchi, jeon (Korean-style pancakes), and bibimbap, will also be showcased, along with a melon beverage tasting event.
A variety of hands-on programs for family visitors are also on offer. A "melon picking experience" for children and a "melon stacking contest" for adults have been prepared to add to the festival's enjoyment. Organizers said that visiting early in the morning, avoiding peak hours, allows for a more relaxed tasting and experience of the programs. In the evening, performances by invited singers will further heighten the festive atmosphere.
Touring nearby attractions along with the festival is another highlight. Crossing the Ipo Bridge near the festival grounds leads to Pasaseong Fortress, which offers a panoramic view of the Namhan River's scenic beauty. Walking along the fortress wall reveals a landscape where the winding Han River meets the river breeze.
Traces of Iponaru, once a hub of Han River logistics during the Joseon Dynasty, still remain. The tradition of the Iponaru tavern street is now carried on by the Cheonseo-ri Makguksu Village formed below Pasaseong Fortress. The makguksu here, made by mixing buckwheat noodles with broth and dongchimi (radish water kimchi) liquid and adding a strong-flavored sauce, is considered a local specialty dish.
In addition, visitors can enjoy the Maaeyeoraeipsang (standing Buddha rock carving) along the riverside in Gyesin-ri and the sunset view at the Yeoju Namhangang Suspension Bridge. With food, sights, and hands-on activities all combined, this year's Geumsa Melon Festival is drawing expectations as a signature May outing.
