The Seokjeok-ro commercial district in Chilgok-gun, designated as a neighborhood-type shopping district, is set to attract residents with a festival centered on local stories.

As the first event where merchants jointly promote the commercial district rather than individual stores, it is expected to serve as a testbed for revitalizing the Seokjeok-ro alley commercial district.

The Seokjeok-ro Riverside Merchants Association will hold the "Seven Stone Stories Festival" on October 31 around the Seokjeok-ro area.

This event is the first joint festival organized after the Seokjeok-ro area was designated as a neighborhood-type shopping district and the merchants association was officially launched. The initiative aims to promote the Seokjeok-ro commercial district and raise interest in Chilgok’s history and culture through an event in which both merchants and residents participate together.

The festival title, "Seven Stone Stories," carries the meaning of connecting the regional name Chilgok and various stories handed down in the area with the commercial district.

Rather than delivering historical and cultural stories in an explanatory format, the merchants association is preparing the event so that residents can naturally encounter and enjoy them by integrating them into the festival programs.

With its designation as a neighborhood-type shopping district, the Seokjeok-ro area has established a foundation to utilize commercial district support, such as registering as an Onnuri gift certificate affiliated store.

The merchants association is putting great effort into this festival to translate this institutional support base into actual increases in visitors and commercial revitalization.

Under the leadership of President Kwon Hyun-ho and Secretary-General Kwon Hyuk-soo, the merchants association is expanding cooperation among merchants and promoting joint publicity and commercial revitalization projects.

President Kwon Hyun-ho said, "I want to make this a place where residents can enjoy themselves together and get to know the Seokjeok-ro commercial district, rather than just an event for merchants. I hope many residents will visit, have a good time, and find a reason to return to Seokjeok-ro."

Secretary-General Kwon Hyuk-soo stated, "As the first festival prepared directly by the merchants, we are preparing it so that residents can visit comfortably and enjoy it together. Going forward, the merchants will continue to pool our strengths to create Seokjeok-ro's own unique characteristics."

The merchants association plans to foster this event not just as a one-time festival, but as Seokjeok-ro's representative event created together by residents and merchants.

Using the festival as a stepping stone, they intend to continue joint publicity and resident participation programs, moving beyond enhancing the competitiveness of individual stores to promote Seokjeok-ro as a single unified commercial district.

Former Chilgok County Councilman Koo Jung-hoe noted, "The designation as a neighborhood-type shopping district signifies that a foundation has been laid for the Seokjeok-ro commercial district to make a new leap forward. The efforts of merchants to directly create a festival and revitalize the commercial district together with residents are important."

He added, "If local stories are captured within the festival, it can approach residents more familiarly. I hope this festival becomes an opportunity for merchants and residents to mingle together and promote Seokjeok-ro."

An official from the merchants association said, "The starting point of commercial revitalization is for residents to visit. Through the festival, we will promote Seokjeok-ro and create an event where merchants and residents can smile together."

The "Seven Stone Stories Festival" will be held on October 31 around the Seokjeok-ro area. In case of rain, it will be postponed to November 14.

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