(Minghui.org) Toronto Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to take part in the 65th annual Niagara Wine Festival Grande Parade on September 24, 2016, in St. Catharines, Ontario. Running from September 10 to 25, this grape and wine festival is a major cultural event in Ontario and is listed as one of the top 100 events in North America.
As the only participating group of Chinese heritage, Dafa practitioners entered the Tian Guo Marching Band and a group of waist drummers. Many people were delighted to see the performances and asked for more information about Falun Dafa.
The Tian Guo Marching Band performs in the 65th annual Niagara Wine Festival Grande Parade.
Great Music and Wonderful Color
Carol Dupuif, a retiree who lives in St. Catharines, watched the parade with her family. She described the practitioners' performance as elegant and beautiful. “It brings a perfect presence,” she said. Carol was pleased to accept information about Dafa and said she would definitely read it.
Carol Dupuif (sixth from right in the front row) watched the parade with her family.
Dietitian Carol Hyinds agreed with Carol. She said that the music from the band was great and she thought the colors of the waist drum group were wonderful. “Gold is my favorite,” she remarked, commenting on the drummers' bright gold outfits. She was also sorry to hear about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China.
Carol Hyinds thanked the practitioners for being a part of the event.
Katherine Maheu, materials manager for a local company, watched the parade with her sister and children. “The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are wonderful,” she said. Both she and her sister signed petitions calling for an end to the persecution in China.
Katherine Maheu (second from left in the back row), watched the parade with her sister and children.
The waist drummers add color and rhythm to the parade.
Everyone Should Have Freedom of Belief
Angela Wiesmore, executive assistant for a large firm in the U.S., watched the parade with her husband and daughter. She enjoyed this multicultural event and was especially impressed by the Tian Guo Marching Band. Upon hearing of the suppression in China, Angela said that the persecution is wrong. She said that everyone should have freedom of belief, wherever they are.
Angela Wiesmore said that practitioners should retain their belief despite the suppression.
Aliscia Costantini, who works in a salon, came to the parade with her husband and son. “Falun Dafa is great and I really love it,” she said, pointing to the large Falun Dafa banner in front of the band. “Practicing Falun Dafa is a basic human right and no one should take it away.”
Aliscia Costantini (first from left) said that practicing Falun Dafa is a basic human right.
Mark Molnar, official Town Crier for the City of St. Catharines and the Town of Lincoln, was on duty on the day of the parade. He was full of praise for the Tian Guo Marching Band, for their music, costumes, and color. “This band is really awesome! It's very rare to see a performance as good as this one,” he said.
Official Town Crier, Mark Molnar, thoroughly enjoyed the Tian Guo Marching Band.
