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Four-day Los Angeles Korean Festival to begin next week

September 12, 2014
Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation President Kim Joon-bae, right, and Park Yoon-sook, foundation chairman of the board.

Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation President Kim Joon-bae, right, and Park Yoon-sook, foundation chairman of the board.

Organizers of the 41st Los Angeles Korean Festival are gearing up for the four-day celebration, to be held at Seoul International Park from Sept. 18 to Sept. 21.

The highlight of the festival, Saturday’s parade down Olympic Boulevard, will see Na Kyung-won, a member of Korea’s Saenuri party, as grand marshal and Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson as the honorary grand marshal, the Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation said.

The festival, themed “Cultural Diversity: A Celebration of Hope for the Ages,” will be the largest yet, the foundation said.

About 280 booths, including vendors with specialty items from Korea, will be opened to the public. Couple Poppin’ Hyun-joon and Park Ae-ri, as well as flutist Jasmine Choi and traditional Korean dancer Lee Kyung-hwa, will perform at the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 at 6:50 p.m.

Festival events include dancing and singing contests — including a youth talent show hosted by Radio Seoul — additional performances by local bands and dance classes.

Foundation President Kim Joon-bae said booths have been set up for nursing mothers and the elderly to rest.

“There will be lots to see, and attendees will be able to purchase goods straight from Korea, so we hope people gain interest and come out to the festival,” said Park Yoon-sook, foundation chairman of the board.