SEOUL — The Itaewon district this week will hold its annual street fair, historically one of the more popular off-base events in Seoul. That’s in part because it’s right down the street from Yongsan Garrison, but mostly, say troops and others, because it’s a good party.

This year, the Itaewon Global Village Festival runs from Tuesday through Sunday, all along Itaewon Main Street, with many of the booths and vendors set up in the Arirang Public Parking Lot.

Among the events are “National Days,” beginning with the United States on Wednesday, and Peru, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Taiwan following later in the week. The national days will feature foods, music and cultural events from the countries in the spotlight.

All during the festival, Itaewon retailers typically put on big sales, making it one of the more popular shopping weeks for foreigners in Seoul.

For those who’d rather exercise their feet than their plastic, the Itaewon Global Village Marathon is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Also, a series of stages will offer performances by a dozen local bands, a foreign talent show at 6 p.m. Saturday and a special changing of the Royal Guard ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Seoul city government, Yongsan ward office and Korea National Tourism Organization.

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