(Minghui.org) The Marysville Strawberry Festival is a community celebration held annually in Marysville since 1932. Festival highlights include a grand parade and the Funtastic Carnival.

Falun Dafa practitioners from Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, Canada, were once again invited to participate in the parade, which was held on June 20, 2026. The procession set off from 76th Street and made its way along State Avenue to the Marysville Civic Center. A lively array of over one hundred colorful floats, marching and bagpipe pipe bands, and dance groups took turns performing, drawing large, enthusiastic crowds along the route.

Practitioners carried “Falun Dafa” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance” banners followed by a lotus flower-decorated float on which practitioners in traditional attire demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises. Behind the float came a waist drum team in bright yellow clothing. The practitioners’ entry won the Berrysville Award.

The Berrysville Award was presented to the practitioners’ entry in the 94th Strawberry Festival Parade. (Minghui.org)

Practitioners in the 94th Strawberry Festival Parade in Marysville on June 20 (Minghui.org)

City Mayor Proclaims “World Falun Dafa Day”

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring issued a proclamation on May 13, 2026, declaring that day “World Falun Dafa Day” in the city to celebrate the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction just over a month before the Strawberry Festival.

The proclamation noted that Falun Dafa is a peaceful, self-improvement practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture, that it includes five gentle exercises including a meditation, and that its moral teachings are centered on the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. The proclamation also stated that Falun Dafa is practiced in more than 100 countries and regions by over 100 million people.

Its practitioners were also commended for their participation in Marysville’s Strawberry Festival and Grand Parade and for sharing the practice with the local community.

“Our Favorite Float”

The Marysville Strawberry Festival Grand Parade is one of the largest parades in the Pacific Northwest. A panel of judges evaluates the participating entries and presents a variety of awards. The Falun Dafa group won this year’s “Berrysville Award” for their overall presentation.

Janna Hayes from Selah in Yakima County, Washington, and her team of ambassadors participated in the Strawberry Festival parade for the second time. As they excitedly gathered in front of the Falun Dafa float for a photo, Janna said, “This is our favorite float. We were drawn to the peaceful, soothing music.”

Janna Hayes and her team in front of the Falun Dafa float (Minghui.org)

Vietnam Veteran Is Moved

John was responsible for coordinating in the float assembly area. When he saw the words “Truth, Compassion, Tolerance” on the float, he took a photo and said, “I absolutely love those three words! Tell me about your float.”

A practitioner told him about the practice of Falun Dafa and how the Chinese Communist Party persecutes it in China. Astonished to hear all this, John said he was a Vietnam veteran, enjoyed meditation and believed in the existence of the Divine. Throughout the day, he enthusiastically introduced practitioners to members of other groups in the parade, giving them the opportunity to talk about Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance as well as the unjust persecution. Everyone was very welcoming and seemed to pleased to get their flyers.

Spectators Cheered Along with the Drums Beats

The waist drum team played cheerful, resounding rhythms that echoed through the streets. Many spectators waved small Strawberry Festival fans in time to the music and cheered enthusiastically whenever the team finished a piece. One practitioner said, “There was a huge crowd and so many children. They applauded warmly after every melody.”

A young man was captivated by the rhythm of the waist drums and followed the lead drummer’s movements closely. When the drummer approached him, he stepped off the sidewalk, and the drummer handed him the drumsticks. The man then played the rhythm for “Falun Dafa Is Good” perfectly.

A group of children sitting on the curb—each with a small purple wreath adorned with a bell—tapped out the rhythm of “Falun Dafa Is Good” in time with the music.

Parade Host Tells About the Persecution of Falun Gong

This year the parade host not only presented an introduction to Falun Dafa but also shared facts about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of the practice. He explained that Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is a cultivation practice for both mind and body that guides practitioners to elevate their moral character based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. He said that it originated in ancient China and is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions. Despite being persecuted by the CCP for the past 25 years, Falun Gong practitioners in China have steadfastly upheld their faith, and their immense courage is worthy of admiration.

After the parade concluded, some of the spectators recognized practitioners by their attire and called out, “You were amazing!” “Great job!” “We’re so glad you participated!” Even the police officers applauded them.