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Boryeong Mud Festival promotes healing properties

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A very different kind of tradition is being celebrated in South Korea. Tourists at a festival in Boryeong are having a blast, but it's a messy one. The annual festival aims to promote the healing properties of the local mud, and is attracting hundreds of thousands of revelers from all over the world.

2014 Mud Festival 



Here, tourists don't have to worry about getting their hands dirty. Thousands of people are partying in the small city of Boryeong, South Korea, for its 2014 Mud Festival. Hailing from all over the world, more than 3-million visitors are expected to drop in for a tumble and slide in the town's ample mud supply.

"A few years ago only foreigners came and enjoyed the mud. But now, we have a global festival where South Korean citizens and foreigners can play together. In particular, we are creating the world's best circumstances for visitors to fall in the mud together, tumble together, release all their built-up stress, and also to feel a beautiful smoothness in their skin." said Kim Dong-Il, Boryeong Mayor.

The annual tradition began in 1998 to advertise the purported health benefits of Boryeong's mineral-loaded mud. Now, it's just a cherry on top of the unique experience.

"The first thing we did was the mud jail, where we got locked up, and they just threw buckets of mud at us, got completely soaked. So that was a great experience. It feels great on the skin, and I just want to go soak in mud right now I would definitely come back again if I had the chance." said Ben Wolley, Tourist.

The winner celebrates by throwing a bucket of mud on the loser. In others, groups of five or six wrestle in a mud pool.

But it's not just mud that people are throwing. This year, tomatoes are also being squished - making it probably the world's messiest festival. Women and children are caked in mud, soaked in a tomato bath and then throw tomatoes at one another. However, men were not allowed in for safety concerns. The festivities will continue till July the 27th.

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