Dragon dancers perform at the "She Huo" Festival in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, Feb. 6, 2012. [Photo: China.org.cn]

One aspect that our group noted was that in addition to the official festivities organized by the government, local residents also were performing various acts of She Huo on the street, setting off fireworks, beating drums, dancing with dragons, and twirling fans to delighted onlookers both young and old. From the view on the street, it seemed like everyone in Zuoquan couldn't help but get caught up in the festivities.

We even got a chance to join in the fun -- one group of drum and cymbal-bearing rhythmists waved us to crash cymbals with them. For a couple of minutes, we all got into the rhythm, much to the delight of onlookers.

On Feb. 8, the last day of our trip, the local government took us to attend the county's largest spectacle, the She Huo Jie parade. Although similar in nature to the one we saw in Yuci, the parade was full of local flavor. Over 3,000 performers marched in the event, and over 30 local companies and groups were represented, each one performing a different act. Colorful floats told of the local industry alive in the county: from coal, to power production, local schools and various government agencies.

The presence of secondary industries in the parade was a sign that Zuoquan is trying to shift its economy away from coal mining. At a press conference prior to the She Huo Jie events, we were able to speak with the county mayor, who explained that agriculture and tourism will both be integral to the county's development in subsequent years as the county's coal supply diminishes. Walnut farming as well as building tourism spots in scenic mountain areas adjacent to the town are key factors in this strategy, the mayor said.

我们注意到，除了政府组织的官方活动，当地的群众也自发在街上表演各式各样的社火节目：放焰火、跳扇舞、击鼓、舞龙，吸引了老老少少的观看者。放眼望去，左权县的每个人都沉浸在欢乐的节日气氛中。

一群鼓手、钹手向我们挥手，邀我们加入这欢乐的海洋。几分钟后，我们完全融入了节奏中，大家都兴奋不已。

2月8日，我们行程的最后一天，当地政府带我们参加了县里最大规模的活动——社火游行。虽然和榆次的游行有相近之处，但却充满了地方特色。3000多名演员齐聚一堂，代表着30多家地方企业和团体，各自进行着精彩的表演。煤矿、电力、当地学校、政府机关，五彩缤纷的标语展现出活跃在左权县的各个行业的风采。

游行中出现的第二产业是左权县从单一的采矿业向其他行业经济转型的标志。在社火节前夕的一次新闻发布会上，我们有幸见到了县长，他说，在今后的几年中，随着煤矿供应消耗殆尽，农业和旅游业都将是左权县发展不可或缺的动力。核桃种植以及县邻近山区旅游景点的开发也是该战略的重要因素。