Virginia, USA: Falun Dafa Welcomed at the Apple Blossom Festival Parade

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival parade in Winchester, Virginia, on May 3, 2025. Their entry included a float and a waist drum team.

Winchester is a cultural and historical city located 75 miles northwest of Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, with a population of nearly 30,000. The city is surrounded by large apple orchards and is known as the apple capital. The annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is one of the most important parade celebrations in the U.S., and draws celebrities and tourists from all over the country. This year’s festival is the 98th.

Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on May 3.

FOX 5 Washington, DC streamed live coverage of the parade. The emcee introduced Falun Dafa when the practitioners marched past the viewing stage, “Falun Dafa, an ancient traditional practice to improve mind, body, and spirit. I always feel calm when they come down the parade route. It’s based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. And it has 4 sets of gentle movements plus meditation practice. Their practice is in many countries worldwide, and the teachings have been translated into more than 40 languages.”

The female emcee said, “So calming.” The male emcee said, “And the banner says it all, doesn’t it? The world needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”

People accept information about Falun Dafa.

Practitioners took a group photo.

People Welcome Falun Dafa

Ryan Williams (first from left) welcomes practitioners.

Ryan Williams works at the George Washington’s Office Museum in Winchester and said he’s seen Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade before. “We are very fortunate to have them.” He said he liked to see the traditions of different countries in the parade, and they all deserve a place here. Speaking of Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Ryan said, “We can stand behind them. Those are good qualities.”

Alissa agreed and said, “[Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance] is definitely something we need! It’s a great quality.”

John watches the parade.

John said he saw practitioners in last year’s parade, and the Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance they conveyed are very good. “It is a good message and is important for today’s climate, today’s social climate, and today’s everything.”

Before the parade began, Norma talked to practitioners and asked them where she could learn to practice Falun Dafa.

She said, “I think Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are wonderful, because that’s what we’re all about. Compassion extends beyond humans to all living beings.”

Resident Connie (right) watches the parade.

Susie (middle) and her friends watch the parade.

Susie from Maryland watched the parade with her friends. She waved to practitioners and said, “I love them. They are great! I feel their energy and their spirit.”

Rachel waves to practitioners.

This was the first time Rachel saw Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade. She cheered and said, “I love them because they are so energetic, very nice, and smiling.”

Rachel said that seeing Falun Dafa practitioners made her feel calm and happy. “Just the calm feeling is very relaxing.”