The Korean Festival Foundation of Orange County held its 29th annual Korean Festival of Orange County on Friday to Sunday, Oct. 12-14 in “Koreatown”, Garden Grove.
The festival consisted of celebrity appearances, food booths, cultural performances and an annual parade. Korean businesses showcased their products and many gave out samples to event attendees.
“This event gives Californians a convenient opportunity to enjoy Korean food, experience Korean culture and sample many Korean products and services,” California State Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Park Steel said. “The Orange County Korean Festival has provided our community an opportunity to experience the Korean peninsula without leaving home.”
Performances played throughout the day on a live concert stage, open to the public at no cost. Various groups, ranging from hospitals to children academies displayed their special acts while a thrilled audience spectated.
“My favorite part about the festival was definitely the concert stage,” festival attendee Rachel Kim said. “It was great to just sit down and watch the different performances while eating or even just spectating.”
The event also included its annual parade down the city’s main street, Garden Grove Boulevard, in which many groups such as schools, academies, companies, toddlers and seniors proudly displayed their demonstrations.
“The parade was really fun to watch because of all the variety of performances shown,” Kim said. “I especially liked how many groups danced and sang; it was entertaining and it really showed great Korean cultural pride.”
The parade also featured important members of the Korean-American community such as City of Garden Grove Mayor William J. Dalton, professional table tennis player Hyun Jung-Hwa and City of Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang.
“It was pretty awesome to see [important members of the Korean-American community] here,” Juhi Lee said. “It really shows their individual commitment to serving the Korean-American community.”
The event was sponsored by many companies including, but not limited to: Toyota, McDonald’s, Pechanga Resort and Casino, Korean Air, The Korea Daily and Hanmi Bank.
“Each resident brings a part of his or her heritage with them to the festival, which over time becomes a part of our common heritage,” Kang said. “This year’s Festival will bring together not only Korean- Americans, but residents from other cultural communities as well, to share in the most wonderful of Korean traditions and customs.”
