(Minghui.org) The Calgary Stampede Parade is one of the biggest events in North America. Known as the “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” it is commended as displaying “true western spirit.” It has a history of more than 110 years, but was called off for the first time in 2020 due to the CCP virus (coronavirus pandemic).
The Calgary Stampede was held on July 7, 2021, but it was not open to the public this year. Instead it was broadcast over television and online. The live broadcast had more than 45,000 viewers and the television station edited a couple of highlighted scenes, some of which showcased Falun Dafa’s procession in the parade.
Among the 59 different groups that participated in the parade, the Falun Dafa procession was particularly eye-catching. Two large banners that read “Falun Dafa” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” in both English and Chinese led the way, followed by a giant boat float. Following the float was a “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” banner followed by the waist drum team. After that was a banner that read “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” and “Falun Dafa Is Good.”
The giant boat float was made for the parade this year and was about 40 feet (12m) long, 15 feet (4.5m) wide and 13 feet (4m) high. It had a royal purple background color and was decorated with the golden words “Falun Dafa” on the side. The bottom of the boat was decorated with green lotus petals and pink lotus flower blossoms. Three golden words “Truthfulness,” “Compassion,” “Forbearance” were made into banners that hung on the deck of the boat with colorful flower petals around them. Two celestial maidens were seated within the lotus flowers and two men stood on the deck, demonstrating the five peaceful, gentle sets of Falun Dafa exercises.
The giant float, made by Falun Dafa practitioners, at the Calgary Stampede Parade on July 7, 2021
Falun Dafa’s procession in the Calgary Stampede Parade on July 7, 2021
Forty-nine waist-drummers wore bright yellow costumes with gold-bronze drums tied to their waists and pink ribbons. Twelve big Tang drummers followed the waist-drummers. The joyful melody of “Falun Dafa Is Good” resonated through the air and the bright costumes, synchronized footsteps, and clear drumming rhythms made the waist drum team a sight to behold. The Falun Dafa procession was filled with compassion, harmony, splendor, and magnificence.
The Falun Dafa waist drum team in the parade
The hostess of the parade praised the Falun Dafa procession with, “This big giant float is so attractive! It has grabbed the attention of everyone, and it is very beautiful. Look at the flowers blossoming, don’t you feel like blossoming alongside the flowers?
“The float is very big and is extraordinarily beautiful. Falun Dafa is a traditional Chinese cultivation practice. There are practitioners all over Calgary and the world. The peaceful exercises can better one’s physical state and raise one’s morals. Did you hear the drumming? The waist-drummers are also a part of Falun Dafa’s procession. Waist-drumming has a history of over thousands of years in China. Let’s listen to it, they sound extraordinary, right? They are very synchronized and everyone is neatly standing in formation, stepping to the rhythm. Everyone looks bright, festive, outstanding and happy. This is great!”
After the parade ended, Ms. Chen who had been part of the parade, received a text message from a former colleague, who said, “I saw the giant float, the purple boat and the princesses sitting on top of it. I also saw the bright and festive waist-drummers in their yellow costumes. Please accept my gratitude to all Falun Dafa practitioners who attended the parade. Happy Calgary Stampede Parade!”
A local resident got in contact with Falun Dafa’s local coordinator and said excitedly, “The new giant float boat and its colors are amazing! It is beautiful! Words cannot describe how I feel!”
Though the parade was not open to the public, parade workers along the parade route clapped, waved, gave the thumbs up and took pictures with their cellphones.
Kathy, the local parade coordinator, said in a letter: “Falun Dafa’s procession is the highlight of the parade. I love the waist-drummers and I also know the hostess loved your procession. Please pass my gratitude to all Falun Dafa practitioners and wish them well!”
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