(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners participated in Christmas parades in High River and Banff, Alberta on December 6 and 7.

High River welcomed its coldest Christmas parade in history. The temperature on the night of December 6 was 30 degrees below zero (Celsius). However, the cold weather didn't dampen people's holiday spirit.

The Falun Gong procession drew cheers and applause for its bright spirit, uplifting rhythms and bright colors. Many spectators danced along with the practitioners' stirring drumming. Some expressed their gratitude, pressing their hands together as a show of respect.

It was warmer on December 7 for the parade in Banff, with spectators lining both sides of the parade route. The Falun Gong procession was the largest group in the parade. Many people were impressed with the beautiful lotus flower float.

The spectators enjoyed the young practitioners in Tang Dynasty costumes on the float, exclaiming, “So beautiful!” Practitioners distributed fliers and paper lotus flowers along the parade route. Several Chinese spectators were pleasantly surprised to see Falun Gong featured so prominently in these local Christmas celebrations.