(Clearwisdom.net) Most of the parades in Houston are held on important American holidays. As an exception, the Spring Branch Multicultural Parade is held on a non-holiday, sponsored by the "Spring Branch Super Neighborhoods", which welcome all ethnic groups to participate. Because there is no restriction on application, and many companies sponsor the parade, the annual event is jubilant and bustling. Each year, there are more groups joining the parade.

Banner reading "Falun Dafa"

Minghui school students hold signs that read, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance".

• Colorful parade processions

The parade set off from the YMCA at 10 a.m. on October 29, 2005. The entire route is about three miles long. The theme of this year's parade is, "A Salute to Our Troops". Some local servicemen joined the parade and brought a unique flavor to the parade.

Among the processions, there were council members from Spring Branch, and representatives from local schools and city governments. Most participants come from other districts. About 70 groups joined the parade. There were a variety of colorful floats, bands, dance performances and western drum troupes. Among the colorful processions, two were from Asian groups, one a Korean performance troupe and the other the Falun Gong procession. This the second time for Falun Gong practitioners to participate in this parade.

• Spectator: " 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance' are so great!"

Falun Gong practitioners' waist drum troupe

The Falun Gong practitioners' procession included a banner team, a float, an exercise demonstration troupe, a dance team in which dancers dressed in Tang Dynasty clothes, and a drum troupe that performed the waist drum and the Tang Dynasty drums. Young practitioners from the Minghui School also joined the parade.

At the podium, parade coordination committee members introduced to the spectators each group passing by. When the Falun Gong practitioners came by, the host said, "Falun Dafa, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance."

Spectators greet the practitioners

The peaceful Falun Gong exercise demonstration, the graceful dance to exhibit the Tang Dynasty clothing, and the lively sound of the drums brought people something new and exciting. Spectators waved and greeted the practitioners. The parade host once again said, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance". Some spectators shouted and cheered, "Great!"

A practitioner introducing Falun Gong to a spectator

Some practitioners handed out the truth-clarifying newsletter "Falun Dafa Day" along the route to spectators. Each member at the podium also got a copy. Suddenly, a spectator came over and hugged a practitioner and said, " 'Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,' that's great!"

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/10/30/113462.html