The gala got off to a festive start on the afternoon of Oct. 17 with the Global Parade that went from Hangangjin Station to Noksapyeong Station, passing by Itaewon Station, all of them along Seoul Metro’s line No. 6. Thirty bands, troupes or teams making up about a thousand people participated in the parade, and people from around the world spent an enjoyable afternoon enjoying the show.
The neighborhood of Itaewon was crowded with people watching the parade. Families came out accompanied by their children, and the Reese family from the United States was one of them. Their fun and memorable time at the festival last year brought the family out once again this year, the family said.
The marchers responded to the crowd’s cheers and applause by putting on passionate performances and waving to them. Staff Sergeant Shawn Cupp, a member of the military band of the 8th United States Army who was joining in the parade for the first time, seemed pretty glad to be there. He said that he was very excited to perform in the neighborhood he often visits.
By Chang Iou-chung, Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han
icchang@korea.kr