A crayfish festival began on June 12 in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province. The three-day event drew thousands of visitors for a celebration of food, music, and local cultural heritage. On the first day, a feast attracted nearly 10,000 locals and tourists, who devoured crayfish in a lively and festive atmosphere.

This year's festival featured a colorful parade with hundreds of participants, including cultural performers, volunteers, and local residents. Hanfu shows, crayfish-themed dances, ribbon dragons, and traditional drumming troupes paraded through the streets, interacting with onlookers and showcasing the cultural vibrancy of China's "Crayfish Capital." As one of the festival's signature events, the "Joyful Crayfish Feast" will continue until June 14.

Xuyi, located on the southern bank of Hongze Lake, is widely recognized as a national hub for crayfish farming. Today, it boasts over 65,000 hectares dedicated to crayfish farming, supporting an integrated industry that includes aquaculture, processing, catering, e-commerce, and tourism.     

The festival celebrates a beloved local delicacy and serves as a platform to promote rural revitalization, cultural tourism, and sustainable agricultural development.