(Clearwisdom.net) On Monday September 3, over one hundred groups participated in the 50^th annual South Plainfield Labor Day parade. No other public event in New Jersey is as large or has a longer history. Governor Jon Corzine marched in the parade in person. Falun Gong, the only group representing Asian Americans, participated in the parade, and its Divine Land Marching Band won the "Best Overall Entry" Award with its exceptionally spiritual demeanor and peaceful and compassionate performances.

In 1894, the US Congress proclaimed the first Monday in September as "Labor Day," a National Holiday, to show respect for honest labor. Though many cities have abandoned Labor Day parades, the officials and residents of South Plainfield City believe it is important to preserve this traditional holiday celebration.

On September 3, the weather was pleasant and many residents set up the chairs along the streets early to get a good view of the parade.

The parade started at 10 a.m. and lasted about two and a half hours. There were middle school bands, a variety of pipe bands, and decorated floats.

The Falun Gong entry was composed of the Divine Land Marching Band and an exercise demonstration section. Wherever the band went, the spectators clapped their hands along with the music. Many people were given flyers about Falun Gong and read them carefully. The exercise section demonstrated the exercises throughout the parade. When the group passed the judge's platform, the host not only introduced the Falun Gong principle, "Truthfulness Compassion Tolerance," but also emphasized the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded the Falun Gong group.

After the parade, the judges awarded many prizes. The Divine Land Marching Band won "Best Overall Entry."