(Minghui.org) A winter drizzle didn't dampen the holiday spirit at the annual West Chester Christmas parade near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 5, 2014. The number of spectators reached over 30,000 according to Mark Yonder, chairman of the event organizer, the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

About 5,000 people in over 80 groups partook in the parade. Falun Gong practitioners' waist drum performance gained exposure in local media such as the Daily Local News.

Falun Gong entry

Waist drum performance

Screenshot of the waist drum performance published in the Daily Local News

Ms. Li, a 65-year-old from New York City, was one of the performers in the waist drum troupe. She shared, “I am happy for all the participants who can freely celebrate the holidays. However, I'm also sad when I think about the fact that Falun Gong practitioners are persecuted in China and cannot do the same as we do here.”