(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from Vancouver, Canada, presented lively performances in the Teddy Bear Parade in Coquitlam on June 8, 2014. During the parade, the city mayor joined the Falun Dafa procession, trying his hand at the Chinese waist drum. Two city council members posed for photos with practitioners after the parade, and expressed their appreciation for their contribution to the community.

Falun Dafa entry in Teddy Bear Parade

Many Chinese are excited to see Falun Dafa in the parade

Reading about Falun Dafa

Demonstrating the exercises on the float

The Falun Dafa entry featured the Divine Land Marching Band, a float, a dance team, an exercise demonstration team, and a waist drum team.

While watching the parade, Coquitlam mayor Richard Steward saw the Falun Dafa group approaching, and spontaneously joined the procession. He took a drumstick from a waist drum team member, and played the drum with him all the way to the end of the parade.

The mayor of Coquitlam, Richard Steward, plays the waist drum with a Falun Dafa practitioner in the parade.

Tom McDonald, the parade host, introduced Falun Dafa as an ancient Chinese cultivation method with the core principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, that is now practiced in more than 100 countries around the world. He commented on the beauty of the Falun Dafa float, which was decorated as a large lotus flower, and the lively waist drum performance.

The host of the parade, Tom McDonald, introducing Falun Dafa to the crowd.

City council members Chris Wilson and Craig Hodge thanked practitioners for performing in the parade. Mr. Wilson said that practitioners not only brought happiness to the spectators, but also demonstrated the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He knows well about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China, and appreciates practitioners' efforts to bring it to an end.

Mr. Hodge said that the parade offers a good chance for people to communicate and learn about different cultures. He said that Falun Dafa practitioners' presentation of Chinese traditions was warmly welcomed.

Mr. Hodge (left) and Mr. Wilson (right) pose for a photo with a practitioner after the parade.

Coquitlam, a suburb of Vancouver, has attracted many Chinese immigrants in recent years. After the persecution of Falun Dafa began in 1999, the majority of Chinese people held misconceptions about the practice due to the Chinese regime's vicious propaganda. However, after years of persistent efforts to reach out to the Chinese community with the real story, practitioners have seen the situation turn around, from coldness and even hostility, to support and admiration.

Ms. Ji, a Chinese woman watching the parade, said she felt a strong energy field when the Falun Dafa group passed by. “I like the Divine Land Marching Band. The music is touching,” she said. “As a Chinese, I am proud of them. They are the best entry in this parade.”

One Chinese family of three generations was excited to see Falun Dafa in the parade. They walked alongside the procession for a long time, and took many photos.

Ms. Yu, a practitioner, said that many Chinese people accepted Falun Dafa materials from her. “Chinese people are changing. They are no longer deceived by the Chinese government. While I was passing out flyers, several Chinese said to me, “Falun Dafa is good!”