(Clearwisdom.net) On February 5, 2005, Vernon, a small town on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the western part of Canada held its annual Vernon Winter Carnival Parade.
With "Celebrate the Orient" as its theme, the parade attracted more than one hundred groups from different regions and different cultural backgrounds. The participation of Falun Dafa practitioners brought even more happiness to this serene small town.
The parade presented many extraordinary splendors. A group of pretty little Western girls wearing Japanese kimonos and holding pretty umbrellas sat on a float. Some participants wore costumes similar to those from the Qing Dynasty. Many floats were decorated with Chinese lanterns with the Chinese characters for "Happy New Year" or the twelve animals of the Chinese horoscope. There was also a group of Westerners holding a huge dragon. They really looked like people from the East.
At the end of the parade was a special group: accompanied by gentle wonderful music, more than thirty Falun Gong practitioners slowly walked ahead. Behind the huge "Falun Dafa" banner was the exercise group, followed by the dancing group, then the impressive waist drum group. They wore traditional Chinese clothes. All of the Falun Gong marchers looked energetic, and the spectators felt revived as they watched. Many people applauded the marchers, and some exclaimed, "Where are they from?" It was just like the old Chinese saying: "The best is saved for last."
This large and impressive parade was full of eastern cultural characteristics. Eastern culture, ancient and profound, has gradually been incorporated into the everyday life and thought of western people. Many people recognized the Falun Gong group, who are guided by the principle of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The group was also greatly favored by the organizing committee and won the "Best Group Participating" and "Best Cultivation Group" prizes.
Ms. Ingrid Barow, deputy chief of the parade's organizing committee, enthusiastically introduced the entries. She announced that this was the forty-fifth Vernon Winter Carnival parade, the oldest parade in western Canada, and that it attracted many people and participants every year. This year, more than one hundred and twenty groups entered. Such activities give local people a chance to step out of doors in the cold weather and take part in or to appreciate the rich and colorful programs, which brought a festive tone to the dreary winter season.
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