The 20th Yantai Cherry Festival kicked off on May 30 in Fushan district — think esports, cosplay, and a lakeside race all wrapped into one cherry-themed party. Nearly 3,000 runners took part, and thousands more turned out for the fun.

Drawing more than 10,000 visitors in a single day, this year's festival went beyond agriculture to integrate farming, culture, tourism, and commerce around Fushan's signature cherry brand.

During the cherry competition, judges evaluate a range of cherry varieties, including newly developed market-ready ones, to determine the top entries. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors marveled at giant cherries and new premium varieties at the cherry contest, which highlighted the industry's ongoing development. A Shandong cuisine cooking contest invited members of the public to judge, while a market featured oracle bone script-themed cultural products, traditional craft demonstrations, and cherry-picking experiences.

The festival also rolled out new youth-focused activities. On the first day of the esports competition, 16 university teams from across Shandong faced off on-site. A cosplay event with runway walks, anime performances, and immersive parades injected new energy into the traditional cherry celebration.

International visitors pick cherries at a local farm in Fushan, Yantai, during the cherry festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteers and staff kept everything running smoothly — from traffic and medical support to free ginger jujube tea on a warm day.

By blending agriculture, youth culture, and thoughtful services, the festival turned cherries into a powerful engine for local consumption, tourism, and rural vitalization.