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LA Korean Festival begins

October 1, 2015
Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation staff install an LED billboard for the festival Wednesday at the entrance of Seoul International Park. (Park Sang-hyuk/Korea Times)

Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation staff install an LED billboard for the festival Wednesday at the entrance of Seoul International Park. (Park Sang-hyuk/Korea Times)

By The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

The 42nd Los Angeles Korean Festival kicks off today, with an opening ceremony scheduled for 7:20 p.m. at Seoul International Park, preceded by a pungmul show starting at 4 p.m.

The four-day festival is the largest annual Korean celebration in the United States and puts on traditional performances, booths, cultural demonstrations, contests, concerts and a parade down Olympic Boulevard.

Political leaders from Korea as well as local figues are expected at the opening ceremony tonight, including Mayor Eric Garcetti, Orange County Supervisor Michelle Park Steel, Assemblywoman Young Kim and City Councilman David Ryu, who was appointed grand marshal.

Television personality Sam Hammington and Arirang TV radio’s Jenny Cho will host the ceremony, followed by performances by Ko’s Dance Institute and K-pop group Pungdenge.

Business, food and promotional booths, numbering about 330, will open at 3 p.m. today.

A Korean American history exhibit featuring an immigration timeline has also been installed near the entrance.

The full festival schedule is below:

schedule