(Clearwisdom.net May 29) On May 24, 2003, 140 groups from different cities of the Vancouver Area participated in the Hyack Festival Parade in New Westminster. The Falun Gong group won the President's Award--first place among the Club and Association Groups.

Colorful floats and cheerful people brought a festive and fun atmosphere to the small city. Many people lined the road. When the Falun Gong procession passed, at the front of the procession were banners reading, "Falun Dafa" and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." Young practitioners on the beautiful float repeatedly performed the five sets of exercises. A graceful Fan Dance and elegant Chinese Tang Dynasty Dance followed. Passersby said, " 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' is good. I support that. "

When the host presented the President's Award to a Falun Gong practitioner, he said, "I hope to see you again next year." After the parade, Falun Gong practitioners also received invitations to the Caribbean Day Festival held in July and the Multicultural Street Parade. Some passersby wanted to learn the exercises.

The May Day Ceremony started in 1870, and the Hyack Festival in New Westminster has been around for over 30 years. According to the sponsor, today's parade is British Columbia's largest parade. The main festivities include the Anvil Firing. The Hyack Anvil Battery used to fire a "21 gun" salute to Queen Victoria, which gave the parade its name. In addition, there are also the Miss New Westminster Pageant, the Hyack Antique Car Parade and the Hyack Festival Parade.