(Minghui.org) A large festival was held in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on October 27-28, 2012. Falun Gong practitioners were among more than 100 groups participating in the event, which included several parades.

Divine Land Marching Band performs in the parade

The first parade began at 12:30 p.m. on October 27. A traditional Japanese archery team led the proceedings, and the Falun Gong contingent was next. The contingent included a group of practitioners dressed as celestial maidens, another group demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises, and the waist-drum team. Spectaculars enthusiastically applauded the practitioners' performances.

Another parade was held on the morning of October 28. A team of practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, and the Divine Land Marching Band performed “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Fa Drums and Fa Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions,” “Fa Rectifies Heaven and Earth,” and other pieces. The mayor of Ichihara met with the members of the band after their performance and thanked them.

Mayor of Ichihara with Falun Gong practitioners

Practitioners also held another march that same afternoon to introduce Falun Gong to the public and to raise awareness about the communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Practitioners march in Chiba Prefecture to introduce Falun Gong to the public

Many local citizens were impressed by the practitioners' peaceful demeanor and beautiful exercise demonstration.