(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to join the Celebrate Kirkland Fourth of July Parade in Washington state on July 4, 2026. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, the practitioners shared in the country’s values of faith, freedom, and equality.

Located east of Seattle in Washington’s King County, Kirkland is known for being a high-tech growth center. Celebrate Kirkland is an annual event held at the Lakeshore Plaza and downtown area. This year’s highlights included a parade, veterans reception, and live performances.

Led by banners reading “Falun Dafa” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,” Falun Dafa practitioners from the Greater Seattle area participated with a float and waist drum team. The float was decorated with lotus flowers and American flags, and carried practitioners demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises.

Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Celebrate Kirkland Fourth of July Parade. (Minghui.org)

Spectators Applaud Falun Gong Contingent

This year’s crowd was the largest among recent parades, and the atmosphere was especially joyful for the 250th anniversary celebrations. Many parents brought their children to watch, and businesses and groups along the route handed out candies to everyone.

As the practitioners’ group marched through, spectators cheered and gave a thumbs-up. The waist drum troupe performed several songs, including “Falun Dafa is good,” and “Jubilation.” Some spectators had seen the waist drummers in previous years, and were excited that they were back. One person said, “We were hoping to see them again.”

Whenever the drummers completed a song, children in the audience gave the practitioners high-fives, while the adults clapped and cheered. Some shouted, “Falun Dafa is good.” Many people filmed the drumming performances on their phones, and some danced along to the beat.

On the float, practitioners dressed as celestial maidens quietly demonstrated the exercises, creating a gentle and peaceful scene in the busy parade. Some spectators said they very much liked the celestial maidens, and thought they were beautiful.

Parade Hosts Introduce Falun Dafa

Two viewing stages were positioned along the parade route this year, and each host introduced Falun Dafa. Both stated that Falun Dafa is a spiritual practice that benefits health and improves the mind, and that the practice focuses on cultivating the heart, and striving for goodness.

One of the hosts said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are great. I completely agree.”

Some spectators read out the words “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” on the banners, and shared their appreciation.

The practitioners handed out many flyers, and people nodded as they read the information. The parade group after the practitioners was driving mini-fire trucks. A member of the group asked about Falun Dafa, and a practitioner introduced the practice to her, including the exercises. She happily took a flyer, and was very grateful.

Another group near the Falun Gong contingent was the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland. A practitioner spoke with club members, and talked about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of the practice.

Chinese Spectators Happy to See Falun Gong

Kirkland is home to many Chinese residents, and some work at tech companies. Over a hundred Chinese spectators watched the parade that day with their families. Many clapped when they saw the Falun Dafa practitioners, took videos on their phones, and shouted greetings.

One person came over, and said, “I’ve heard of Falun Gong. You are truly great!” A young couple looked surprised and delighted, as if this was their first time seeing practitioners in a parade.

Four Chinese spectators decided to withdraw from the Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers during the event. A Chinese family also said they planned to go online to submit their withdrawals from the CCP organizations.