(Clearwisdom.net) McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade was held on the morning of November 24, 2011, on State Street in downtown Chicago. Several hundred thousand spectators lined the streets to watch. Falun Gong participated in the parade for the ninth year, and brought their creation: Huge Lotus Flowers. Chicago Tribune reports on the parade featured photos of the Falun Gong float.

 Chicago practitioners take part in 2011 Thanksgiving Parade

Elegantly dressed practitioners demonstrate Falun Gong exercises on a beautifully decorated float

Falun Gong float in Chicago's 2011 Thanksgiving Parade

Spectators watch Falun Gong parade procession pass by

 Photo of Falun Gong float on the Chicago Tribune website

According to Mr. Yang Sen, president of the Mid-US Falun Dafa Association, “It is a challenge to present a new look in the parade each year. This year, they got inspiration from the Hollywood Parade in Los Angeles. In 2005, a Falun Gong parade float dazzled attendees with a lotus flower that stood six feet tall. The local Chicago Falun Gong contingent decided to adopt a similar design.”

There were also different-colored small lotus blossoms on the float, on which practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises and other movements. Chicago's largest newspaper, Chicago Tribune, published a photo of the Falun Gong float on its website, and several hundred thousand television viewers saw Falun Gong practitioners and their elegant demeanor via live broadcast on TV.

The annual McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the most grand parades in Chicago and the mid-U.S. Applicants must go through a rigorous screening by the organizing committee in order to secure an opportunity to appear in the parade. Falun Gong contingent made its first appearance in the Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade in 2003. Its creative and unique design impressed the organizing committee, and thereafter has been invited to take part in the parade in the ensuing years. It is the ninth year now.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.