United States: Practitioners Display Beauty of Falun Dafa at Thanksgiving Day Parades in Baltimore and Silver Spring

On November 16th, 2007, the weekend prior to Thanksgiving Day, grand parades were held in both Silver Spring and Baltimore, the largest harbor city in Maryland. Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate, and they added the charms of the East to the parades, which focused mainly on western culture. Many spectators were struck with admiration.

During the parade in Silver Spring, Falun Dafa practitioners of different nationalities demonstrated the exercises on the float

Falun Dafa practitioners take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Baltimore

Waist drummers pass the main stage during the parade in Baltimore

Spectators watch Falun Dafa practitioners' contingent in the parade in Baltimore

There were 130 entries for the tenth Thanksgiving Day Parade this year held in Montgomery County in Silver Spring. Fifteen beautifully decorated floats became the main focus of the parade. Falun Dafa practitioners' float, which was beautifully decorated with lotus flowers, was especially eye-catching.

Falun Dafa practitioners of Chinese, Korean, African and Vietnamese ethnicities demonstrated the exercises on the float. Closely behind the float was a lineup of Falun Dafa practitioners of different ages who were doing the exercises. Behind them, was the Dragon Dance Troupe. Local TV station News Channel 8 broadcast the parade live for two hours.

The US Senator representing Maryland, Ben Cardin, and the Congressman representing Maryland's 8th District, Chris Van Hollen, and other local officials came to the site to watch the parade.

Falun Dafa practitioners' Waist Drummers' Troupe, Dragon Dance Troupe, and Celestial Maidens' Troupe were invited to take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade held in Baltimore, Maryland.

The person in charge of the Baltimore Public Relations and Art Center stated that there were over 60 entries for the parade this year. Falun Dafa practitioners were the only group of Chinese origin. She thanked practitioners for adding color and excitement to the occasion.

An older resident who has watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Baltimore for 35 years said that he had never seen such a group as Falun Dafa. He highly praised the wonderful performances presented by practitioners' Celestial Maidens and Dragon Dance troupes.