Seongsan Sunrise Festival, Jeju is celebrated to mark the first sunrise of the year. It takes place on the Sunrise point of Seongsan. People in large numbers gather here to welcome the New Year with lots of good wishes and festivity. As the spectators wait at the sunrise point all night to witness the first light of the year, various events are held to entertain them. The Seongsan Sunrise Festival was begun in 1994, and a gala carnival is held here every year since then. The preparations to watch the first sunrise of the New Year is begun from the night before. Even before it is midnight on the 31st of December the celebrations begin. A stage is built on the Seongsan Sunrise peak, and various performances are held around it. The commencement of the Seongsan Sunrise Festival in Jeju is done by a torchlight demonstration, a bonfire and extravagant firework displays. Various shows are staged during this Festival of Jeju; famous singers and artists also visit the Seongsan Sunrise point to entertain the crowd with their acts in the open air venue. The actual celebration of the Seongsan Sunrise Festival, Jeju actually takes place as soon as the clock strikes twelve and wait for the for the sunrise becomes shorter. An interesting ritual takes place after midnight, performed by the fishermen. They blow their whistles together in harmony after switching on the boat lights. This is a truly wonderful experience. During this Festival in Jeju, the year’s first sunrise is also commemorated by the cutting of a golden ribbon. Processions by the mounted police of the area and a competition for eating mandarin oranges also takes place to encourage the involvement of the visitors in this Jeju Festival. An added treat during the Seongsan Sunrise Festival are the numerous food stalls set up in the venue offering absolutely delicious items.
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