(Minghui.org) The 90^th Chicago Thanksgiving Parade was held on November 28, 2024. This grand traditional event showcases talent from around the country, as well as the best of the Chicago area. This is the 21st consecutive year that Falun Dafa practitioners in the Greater Chicago area have participated in the parade, and they received an enthusiastic welcome from the audience.

Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the 90^th Chicago Thanksgiving Parade on November 28, 2024. 

Local Media Cover the Parade and Feature the Falun Dafa Team

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade began in 1934 and debuted as a Christmas Caravan. The organizers of the parade said that the parades were broadcast live to audiences across the United States through television and later, the Internet. Many mainstream media outlets in Chicago, including CBS, ABC, and NBC, showed the wonderful moments of the Falun Gong practitioners’ parade in their video news on Thanksgiving Day.

The Falun Dafa flag team, float, and exercise demonstration were shown in the CBS News coverage of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade (Screenshot courtesy CBS News Chicago)

This year’s Thanksgiving Day in Chicago was particularly cold, with strong winds and very low temperatures. However, the cold weather did not stop the parade participants or the public from getting out and enjoying the parade and celebrating this beloved annual festival.

The Falun Dafa contingent received a lot of attention, including enthusiastic cheers and praise from the audience. Many viewers took photos and videos with their mobile phones, and many especially thanked practitioners for their special Thanksgiving gifts: pamphlets and small lotus flowers. Spectators agreed that Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are the most important and most needed values in society today.

Falun Dafa practitioner Sharon participates in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade every year. She said that although it was very cold this year, she was happy to participate. “When people smiled and waved to us, I saw their eyes and smiles,” she said. “So many people took pictures of us. I felt great!” She added that more importantly, this was an opportunity for everyone to learn about Falun Dafa, a peaceful and beautiful practice. She was happy that people had this opportunity.

Practitioner Sharon participates in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade.Many spectators tooks photos and videos to record the Falun Dafa contingent. Many people were happy to receive fliers about Falun Dafa. 

People Commend Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Esteban Maldonado had learned about Falun Dafa in Chicago’s Chinatown, but she hadn’t read the main book Zhuan Falun. While watching the parade, a practitioner told Ms. Maldonado and her son about the Falun Dafa books and explained the exercises. Ms. Maldonado said she was very interested in the book Zhuan Falun and wanted to find it and read it. She and her son enjoyed the Falun Dafa float very much, and they enthusiastically said they were happy to see practitioners in the parade.

Esteban Maldonado (right) and her son 

Darlene Gee from Michigan is a first-generation Chinese American. She watched the parade with her son and daughter-in-law. She thought the Falun Dafa group was really beautiful and commented, “I’m very happy. It’s great to see you here and learn about Falun Dafa.”

Darlene Gee, a first-generation Chinese American, said she was happy to learn about Falun Dafa. 

Peter Hackley is from Illinois, but this is the first time he’d watched the Thanksgiving Parade. When he saw the Falun Dafa team with flags worded “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” he said, “The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are what society needs today. I think this is great, especially in this era. We really need more of these values.”

Peter Hackley (left) said that society needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Rami and his family, from Florida, were visiting friends and relatives in Chicago over Thanksgiving. He said that the music practitioners played in the parade was very nice, and the beautiful float and the dance on the big lotus were excellent. Rami praised the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance as the values we need in our current era. He said, “These are very powerful and beautiful words, and we really appreciate the concepts they convey.”

Rami and his family enjoy the Falun Dafa team in the parade. 

Christina Ballinger and her family from Ohio were full of praise for Falun Dafa.

Ms. Ballinger said, “The float is amazing! It’s the most beautiful. It looks like a fairy. The music is also very nice. I am interested in this [practice].” She was grateful for the small origami lotus flower and flier a practitioner gave her.

Christina Ballinger and her family from Ohio, appreciated the Falun Dafa music and float. 

Hussain Salman from Denver and his son traveled to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday. He used to work for a Chinese company in Dubai. Mr. Salman and his wife both have an affinity for Chinese culture. He said he clearly distinguishes between China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “Communism is not good,” Mr. Salman said, “but everything else about China is great.” He was interested in learning the Falun Dafa exercises, and remarked, “The float is great. The principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are so perfect. I must learn about Falun Dafa.” 

Hussain Salman said he had an affinity for Chinese culture and would learn Falun Dafa.

Sisters Gloria (left) and Emma Lopez (right)

Sisters Gloria and Emma Lopez from Chicago said they loved the Falun Dafa float, the origami lotus flower, and the flyers. Gloria said she wanted to learn more about Falun Dafa.

Liz Lamba 

Liz Lamba was interested in learning the Falun Dafa exercises and said excitedly, “I can’t wait to learn about this practice.”

Yaya Navejas (middle) and her children watch the parade. 

Yaya Navejas brought her children to watch the parade, and said she liked the Falun Dafa float and dancers. She was especially grateful for the information that Falun Dafa practitioners shared and said, “I will learn this practice.”