(Minghui.org) The twin cities of Kitchener/Waterloo, about an hour's drive from Toronto, are home to Canada's largest Oktoberfest celebrations, and include one of the largest parade's in Canada. This year's parade was held on Canada's Thanksgiving Day, October 14.
Falun Dafa’s Divine Land Marching Band was invited to this annual event for the sixth year and was the only Asian group invited by the event organizers. The band once again wowed and inspired the spectators.
Falun Dafa’s Divine Land Marching Band in Toronto in the largest Thanksgiving parade in North America
Over 200,000 spectators lined the 12-mile route along King Street to see the parade in person. CTV televised the event nationwide to about 1.8 million viewers.
The Divine Land Marching Band is one of a kind, and the parade hosts expressed their admiration. People commented on the sense of wonder and magnificence generated by the band.
“I'm Excited Every Time I See Them”
Gerica from Waterloo cheered and applauded the band with enthusiasm. She said, “I like them a lot. I've recently seen them in many parades. Every time I see them, I get especially excited.”
Gerica from Waterloo loves seeing the Divine Land Marching Band in parades.
Monika from Kitchener said she has seen the band perform every year. She said, “I'm thrilled to see them--their performance is terrific. I thank them for working so hard to bring people such joy every year.”
Elio Rodrigues, owner of a driving school, has lived in Waterloo for 40 years. The parade passes by his office every year. He said, “The Divine Land Marching Band is wonderful. Their precision and attractive uniforms bring variety and life to the parade.”
William from Burma was watching the parade with his family. He said, “When the Falun Dafa entry passed in front of me, I was very touched. This group is persecuted in China. The Burmese government is also an authoritarian government. Being able to celebrate here in this land of freedom, I feel especially grateful. My thanks to Falun Dafa for bringing us such a fantastic performance.”
William from Burma watches the parade with his family.
Chinese: Meaningful Performance
Mr. Jin, who is from Liaoning Province, China, came to see the parade with his wife and daughter. He said that although he has been in Canada for a year, this was the first time he had seen a parade here. “The Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band is magnificent and awesome. It’s not possible to see it in China.” His wife added, “Because of the persecution, forget about the parade, you can’t even mention Falun Dafa.” They took fliers and said they wished to learn more about Falun Dafa.
Mr. Zhao, who is also from China, called to his friends when the marching band was still far away, “Falun Dafa is coming! It’s very meaningful and worth taking a picture!”
Ms. Wu came to Canada from China with her husband. She said that the Divine Land Marching Band had an excellent image. “The band is one of a kind--you can’t see it in China. The people along both sides of the street smiled when they saw the band coming. It's outstanding.”
“There Are Falun Dafa Practitioners Everywhere in Taiwan”
Mr. Su, from Taiwan, said that this was the first time seeing a Falun Dafa parade entry after living a year in Canada. “It’s very exciting. In Taiwan, there are many Falun Dafa practitioners doing different activities. Something this great is always welcomed. I know that it’s suppressed in China. The regime is brutal by nature.”
Ms. Wu is a visiting scholar from Taiwan. She said, “The marching band is so full of energy and life. Seeing this overseas gives me a really good feeling. I'm so lucky.”
