(Clearwisdom.net) On March 21, 2009, Falun Gong practitioners participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Rockville Center, Long Island, New York and won the Best Procession award.

Tens of thousands of local residents watched the parade. The Falun Gong practitioners' float, celestial maiden dancers and drum team won frequent applause from the spectators. Many people took photos, and some asked for more information.

On March 25, a Falun Gong practitioner received a letter from the parade committee, congratulating the Falun Gong procession for winning Best Procession in the parade. The committee also invited the practitioners to participate in the award ceremony.

This is the second time that practitioners have won a first place award in Long Island. They had taken first place in the Miller Place/Rocket Point parade one week earlier.