On the evening of February 13, East Haitan Road in Pingtan transformed into a dazzling spectacle as the inaugural Bench Lantern Non-Heritage Folk Culture Street Parade lit up the night. Tens of thousands of spectators and tourists gathered to witness the mesmerizing display—a 200-meter-long Bench Lantern Parade formed by over a hundred wooden benches, each adorned with three glowing lanterns featuring characters from famous Chinese literature and words of blessings.

Leading the parade was a majestic dragon's head, its presence commanding attention, while the tail weaved gracefully through the streets. As the luminous procession slithered its way forward, it captivated onlookers and drew crowds at every turn. The event also attracted numerous livestreamers eager to share the vibrant festivities with audiences worldwide.

"This is absolutely breathtaking. It's my first time experiencing such a traditional folk parade, and I want to showcase Pingtan's unique cultural heritage to a wider audience through my livestream," said He Wei, a livestreamer from Xiamen.

According to the event's planner, Chen Zhiwen, this year's Bench Lantern Parade was the grandest yet, featuring over 1,700 participants. "We've expanded the parade significantly, increasing the number of benches from 51 to 117 and extending the length from just over 100 meters to more than 200 meters. Additionally, we incorporated diverse performances, including bands, dragon dance, a ten-piece gong and drum ensemble, and folk dances, offering a true feast for the senses," Chen elaborated.

After several years, the Lantern Snake Parade's return delighted both locals and visitors. "This year's festival was even more spectacular than before. I hope this cherished cultural tradition becomes an annual event," remarked local resident Chen Juan.

Steeped in history for over 400 years, the Bench Lantern Parade—also known as "Zhenpai Lantern" or "Bench Dragon"—is traditionally held during the Lantern Festival to usher in peace and prosperity for the new year. Lin Liang, an inheritor of the Bench Lantern craft, was thrilled by the festival's success and the enthusiastic turnout. "We aim to establish a Bench Lantern Parade Cultural Festival, turning it into a signature event for Pingtan and drawing even more visitors to experience this extraordinary celebration firsthand," Lin said.