On October 19th, the inaugural National Fitness Carnival for Farmers kicked off in Linping District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and will continue for two days. This event has drawn five teams from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong to participate. Farmers clad in unique and colorful outfits gathered in Linping to engage in a carnival that celebrates both farming and community fitness.
The carnival features six exciting competitions: the Harvest Celebration (rice harvesting), tug-of-war, dry-land dragon boat racing, rolling the silkworm tray, straw lifting, and the Zhejiang Rural Health Run. Each of these events is designed not only to entertain but also to resonate with agricultural practices, infusing local flavor and competitive spirit into every aspect.
As the starting gun fired, participants eagerly took off for the inaugural event, the “Zhejiang Rural Health Run.” This innovative road race showcases the transformative impact of the “Ten Million Project” on rural areas in Zhejiang. It offers a panoramic and immersive experience that highlights the achievements of rural revitalization, with a 10km adult group and a 2.5km family group, attracting over 300 participants. Competitors enjoyed a close-up view of modern agricultural landscapes and the unique charm of rural life while earning local agricultural products as prizes after the race.
In the Harvest Celebration event, participants competed for the title of “King of Harvest,” while tug-of-war challenged their teamwork and strength. Other competitions like dry-land dragon boat racing, rolling the silkworm tray, and straw lifting provided distinct experiences, allowing participants to appreciate the joys of physical activity as well as the hard work that goes into farming.
This nationwide, comprehensive, and community-oriented event aims to downplay the competitive aspect and instead foster a higher level of public fitness services. It seeks to bring sports activities closer to the public, offering a national platform for accessible events. Through a “Sports +” approach, the carnival promotes collaboration across sports, culture, tourism, agriculture, and rural development, helping to cultivate a vibrant and positive atmosphere for nationwide fitness initiatives, and establishing “Vital Linping” as a new model for public health engagement.
Beyond the competitions, the carnival also featured local specialty agricultural products in a themed market, showcasing modern agriculture, folk culture performances, and sports competitions. This multifaceted approach not only highlights the beauty of urban-rural integration but also explores new paths for cultural development and economic growth in rural areas. Furthermore, it aims to effectively spread the concept of public fitness to rural regions, positioning sports as a catalyst for rural revitalization and contributing to the narrative of modern rural rejuvenation.
