"Reflecting on the Value of Soil" Wonju Farmers' Day Samto Festival Opens on the 11th

[Financial News Wonju = Reporter Kim Ki-seop] The 2026 Farmers' Day Samto Festival, which reflects on the meaning of 'Samto' (three layers of soil), will be held from the 11th to the 13th at the Wonju Sports Complex.
According to Wonju-si on the 9th, the Samto Festival, held in Wonju—the birthplace of Farmers' Day—is a festival designed to encourage the hard work of farmers and share the value of agriculture and rural communities with citizens. This year, the festival will once again showcase a variety of performances and experiential and sharing programs where farmers and urban residents can mingle. During the festival, programs open to people of all ages will be held, including the Samto Senior Model Selection Contest, Youth Talent Showcase, Samto Singing Contest, Samto Anyone Event Game, and Samto Cooking Class.
In particular, events will be prepared to allow people to experience the abundance of agriculture and the meaning of sharing, including the sharing of a 111.1m-long rice cake made with the local rice 'Totomi', the sharing of rice cooked in a cauldron, and the sharing of pounded rice cakes.
Participatory programs allowing visitors to directly experience traditional farming culture, such as turning a watermill, collecting Totomi seeds of love, and making scarecrows, were also operated to enable generations to experience rural culture together. In the evening, performances including the Samto Singing Contest and Samto Concert follow, further intensifying the festive atmosphere.
This year, the Farmers' Lounge and children's experience spaces for family visitors have also been enhanced. Virtual reality (VR) experiences, a mini animal farm, a sand playground, and traditional games are available, while a thrifty agricultural auction and an event where visitors can mold the festival character 'Himchani' and exchange it for produce will also be held. In the Theme Pavilion, an exhibition will be held to introduce the history and significance of Farmers' Day, which originated in Wonju, and to present the future vision of Wonju agriculture. Additionally, displays on agricultural safety, processed local agricultural products, and insects such as butterflies and honeybees will be showcased.
"A Wonju-si official said, 'We expect this Samto Festival to be a venue for urban-rural coexistence where farmers and citizens come together to share the value of agriculture and rural life, while reflecting on the historical significance of Wonju as the birthplace of Farmers' Day.'"

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