(Clearwisdom.net) On July 1, 2011, Canada Day, the 43^rd Canada Day Parade was held in Montreal to celebrate the 144^th anniversary of Canada’s birthday. Since its formation in 2006, the Canada Divine Land Marching Band has participated in the Canada Day parade in Montreal for sixth consecutive years.

Canada Divine Land Marching Band participates in Canada Day Parade 2011

Many spectators take photos of the band

A woman from the crowd seizes an opportunity to take a photo with the band

The Divine Land Marching Band, composed of Falun Gong practitioners in Montreal and Ottawa, was the grand finale of the parade again this year. The lively performance won enthusiastic applause and acclamations throughout their performance. An organizer of the parade said that more than 100,000 people had come out to watch the parade.

Isabella, an educator, watched the parade with her son. She said while watching the band pass by, “This band performs fabulously. It is very professional. The music is melodious and the costumes are beautiful. My son seems to like it, too.”

A flute player of the Montreal Piping & Drumming School walked back to watch the Divine Land Marching Band performance after his group arrived at the destination. He said he saw the band's rehearsal during last year's parade and was impressed. He said, while giving a thumbs up, “The costumes and music are great. The performance is accurate and neat. It is excellent!”

Chinese spectator: Falun Dafa is remarkable to have Chinese and Western practitioners

Many Chinese people live near the parade route. Many of them came out to watch the parade. They praised the performance of the Divine Land Marching Band.

Ms. Huang from China had come to Canada to visit relatives. She said, “The band, as the finale procession, performed very well. The procession walked in order with high spirit. Falun Dafa is remarkable to have Chinese as well as Western practitioners.”  

Divine Land Marching Band Invited to Participate in Montreal's Canada Day Parade for Six Consecutive Years

The annual Canada Day Parade is a large-scale activity that is voluntarily initiated and organized by people from all walks of life in Montreal. Falun Gong practitioners have participated in this parade since the year 2000. Their beautifully decorated float, elegant “celestial maiden” dances and  exercise demonstrations have left a favorable impression on organizers and holiday-goers. The Falun Gong group has gradually become a major parade entry. Since the Canadian Divine Land Marching Band was established in 2006, it has been invited to take part in Montreal's Canada Day Parade for six consecutive years. The band has also been highly praised and awarded for their wonderful performances.

When the Divine Land Marching Band first participated in the Montreal National Day Parade in 2006, the Vice Chairperson of the Royal Society of Canada came over to the end point of the parade and told the practitioners, "You are the group that impressed me most today."

July 1, 2007 marked Canada's 140th birthday. To celebrate the event, the organizer of the Montreal Canada Day Parade invited the Divine Land Marching Band and local Falun Gong practitioners to take part. The practitioners' great performance won them the highest award of the parade--the President's Award. When the Falun Gong group passed the stage, the chair of the parade committee, Claude Leclerc, stepped down from the stage and shook hands with practitioners and issued the award to them.

During the 2009 Canada Day Parade, the parade committee gave the band high praise when it passed the reviewing stage. One of the organizers said, "We thank the Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band for their participation, and their beautiful costumes and music!" Another organizer on the stage gave the band a thumbs-up.