(Minghui.org) The annual Annandale Parade was held on October 28, 2023. The parade has been a favorite tradition since 1950, and the route was lined with people. Falun Dafa practitioners participated by demonstrating the five sets of exercises and gave waist drum performances. Parade organizers thanked practitioners for bringing the beauty of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the residents of Annandale.

The parade took place along Columbia Pike and passed through the hub of Annandale’s business district. It featured storybook characters, and marching bands, antique and military cars, fire trucks, civic organizations, scouts, and international dancers. Parade-goers expressed their appreciation for Falun Dafa practitioners’ waist-drum performances and many people accepted flyers about Falun Dafa. Two young practitioners demonstrated the five sets of Falun Dafa exercises on a flower float. Some people said this was the first time they heard about Falun Dafa and they wished to learn more.

Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the annual 2023 Annandale Parade on October 28, 2023.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises on the flower float.

Practitioners’ waist-drum performance.

Many residents enjoyed the parade.

State Senator Welcomes Falun Dafa Practitioners

Dave Marsden, Virginia State Senator, attended the parade. He said he heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa.

He expressed his sympathy when he heard that a seventy-year-old practitioner was illegally sentenced to three and a half years by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for not giving up his faith, Falun Dafa.

Senator Dave Marsden welcomes practitioners.

Senator Marsden said, “This is the spirit of America. When I moved to Annandale with my family in 1952, Annandale was a small town. There are many different ethnicities and races gathered here today. They help and care for each other while also building prosperity together.

Host: “Annandale welcomes Falun Dafa.”

The host introduced Falun Dafa when practitioners passed the viewing stand, “Falun Dafa is an ancient mind and body spiritual exercise. It consists of four standing exercises and a meditation. Practitioners follow the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Falun Dafa is practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.

“Annandale welcomes Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa is good. Thank you for bringing the beautiful principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” He encouraged spectators to applaud practitioners and thanked them once again.

Local Wish to Learn about Falun Dafa

Yohanes, a Virginia resident who works on computers, took pictures of the poster board on the flower float. He said, “I feel a peaceful and calm energy here, and I want to know more about Falun Dafa.”

Yohanes took photos of the flower boat and wished to learn more about Falun Dafa.

Many people took photos of Falun Dafa practitioners’ flower float and the waist drummers. Some accepted Falun Dafa flyers and read them.

Elementary school teacher Jiodipoiwai praised Falun Dafa’s guiding principles.

Jiodipoiwai, an elementary school teacher, said she was interested in meditation and liked the practitioners’ exercise demonstrations. She said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance were great and that she’d look at the Falun Dafa website.

Alex and her husband came to watch the parade.

When Alex received a flyer she said, “This is good. This is very good. I’m interested in learning how to practice Falun Dafa.”

Practitioners distribute flyers along the parade route.

People read the flyers about Falun Dafa.