(Minghui.org) Canadian residents in Toronto, along with Falun Dafa practitioners, once again welcomed the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17, 2013. This year marked the 26^th consecutive year for the joyful celebration. The Divine Land Marching Band and the Waist Drum Troupe, composed entirely of Falun Gong practitioners, were invited to this grand annual event for the seventh year running.

Divine Land Marching Band Delights though Music

The Divine Land Marching Band was created by Falun Gong practitioners in New York as a way to help show people in North America, particularly Chinese people, the beauty of Falun Dafa. The Chinese Communist regime wields great influence in Chinese communities around the world, far beyond the borders of the Mainland, and Falun Gong is routinely demonized in the regime's propaganda.

The band became an effective way to show overseas Chinese the truth about Falun Gong, its beautiful and powerful music piercing the veil of the deceptive propaganda. Further branches of the band were soon formed in major cities around the world, and today the Divine Land Marching Band routinely delights crowds of spectators, both Chinese and Western alike.

The 26^th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Out of more than 70 groups and 2,000 individual participants in the parade, the Divine Land Marching Band and Waist Drummers were the only Chinese groups. Their stirring performances won enthusiastic applause from the spectators along the length of the parade route. An estimated 300 thousand people lined the streets of Toronto to see the parade this year, and Canadian CP24 TV aired a live broadcast of the parade, bringing the St. Patrick's Day festivities to an even larger audience.

The Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band participates in the St Patrick’s Day Parade for the seventh year running

The Falun Dafa Waist Drummers Join the 26^th St Patrick’s Day Parade

Toronto resident Jane (first right) cheers for the Divine Land Marching Band

Sevany from India (middle) and her classmates dance along to the Divine Land Marching Band's music

Falun Gong Embraced in Canada

Brian Farmer, grand marshal of the parade, affirms Falun Dafa's popularity in Canada

Brian Farmer, this year's grand marshal of the parade, was impressed with the two Falun Gong groups. “The performance was brilliant and I am glad that I got to see it. There were many Chinese people along the parade route. They clapped, took photos, and cheered (for the two groups).” Farmer said that Falun Dafa had made great contributions to the community. He knows that the practice is currently being persecuted in China, but emphasized that Falun Dafa is welcome in Canada.

“The Divine Land Marching Band is my favorite band!”

Alan Louthe, the principal organizer of the parade this year, enthused, “The Divine Land Marching Band is my favorite! Their performances are very welcome! Just look at how much the spectators cheered for them. This is why we have been inviting them consecutively for the past seven years.”

Chinese Visitors Witness Falun Gong's Worldwide Appeal

Ms. Ye, a young lady from China, wanted to have her photo taken in front of the Marching Band as the band approached. She was very excited and said to her friend, “Look, Falun Gong! Hurry up, take lots of pictures.” Afterward, she told the reporter, “You know what, I saw Falun Gong in Hong Kong, in Europe, and now I see it again here in Canada. It’s true that there are practitioners all over the world. The Falun Gong entry is the longest and most eye-catching in the parade today. I am so excited that I see them wherever I go. It's such a pity that I'm unable to see them out in the open in China.”

Ms. Wu from Beijing brought her husband and child to the parade. “We are here for two months. Seeing that the Falun Dafa entry demonstrated such a marvelous performance overseas really makes me happy from the bottom of my heart.” They both wanted to learn more about Falun Dafa while they were in the free country of Canada.

Ms. Chen from Shaanxi Province, China pointed at the waist drummers and said excitedly to her husband “Look! Waist drummers!” She told a reporter, “We are very lucky to be able to see a performance from home just a month after we arrived in Toronto. Falun Gong’s performances are nowhere to be seen in China.”

Ms. Wang and her family clapped enthusiastically as the Divine Land Marching Band approached. “It’s truly fantastic and exciting. I can’t believe that Falun Gong has such a fantastic group overseas. Magnificent! The freedom overseas allows for such magnificence.” Ms. Wang’s husband said that he’s never seen Falun Gong in a parade in China. “It’s so encouraging to see it here,” he said.

Toronto resident Jan and her parents watch the parade every year. She cheered for the Marching Band, calling out enthusiastically, “Thank you!” After she learned more about Falun Dafa and about the persecution in China, she turned around and told her parents, “This is Falun Gong. They are persecuted in China but are free in Canada.”

Cyurin (first right) and her classmates are excited to see the Divine Land Marching Band.

Cyurin from South Korea saw the parade with her classmates. She had just come to Toronto for a week as a student, and was very excited to see the Chinese participants in the parade. She said, “Seeing such a group allows so many Southeast Asian people to feel closer to home. I thank them.”

Sevany from India danced with her friends to the Divine Land Marching Band's music. She thanked the band for bringing everyone such great joy and a good time.