On March 3, the Lantern Festival was celebrated with vibrant folk performances across Yiyang in central China's Hunan Province.

The centerpiece of the parade was a pair of golden straw dragons specially crafted for the Lantern Festival. The straw dragon-making technique is recognized as a district-level intangible cultural heritage item in Ziyang District. During harvest seasons and major festivals, locals weave straw into giant dragons symbolizing prosperity and abundance, expressing hopes for a better life.

Also capturing attention was a 30-meter-long giant shrimp, animated by 40 performers moving in coordination. Accompanied by four smaller shrimps, the formation wound its way through the ancient city streets in a vivid display of local folk traditions. Known as "Shrimp Arching," the custom originated from shrimp and fish dance competitions among fishing communities along the Zi River and is now listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item in Hunan Province.

"Today, I saw countless folk performances, full of energy and excitement, instantly lifting the festive spirit. I have to give a shout-out to my hometown, and I wish everyone strength, success and good fortune," said local resident Xia Pei.

This year's Lantern Festival parade also spotlighted cutting-edge technology, injecting new energy into the traditional celebration. Robots in brightly patterned jackets and robotic horses joined the streets, instantly capturing everyone's attention. They performed dances, martial arts moves and even exchanged lines of classical poetry with children.

The playful blend of folk tradition and cutting-edge technology drew large crowds of residents and visitors, who stopped to take photos or join the interactive fun.