(Minghui.org) The Tian Guo Marching Band, composed of Falun Gong practitioners from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, Canada, participated in the 63rd International Seaway Festival in Ogdensburg, New York on July 27, 2024.

During the parade, which was about two kilometers (just over a mile) long, the Tian Guo Marching Band played eight musical pieces composed by Falun Gong practitioners, including “Falun Dafa Is Good.” The band was warmly welcomed by spectators on both sides of the street, and there was continuous applause everywhere they passed. Some members in the audience excitedly shouted towards the Tian Guo Marching Band, “Thank you for coming!” Some viewers expressed their interest in Falun Dafa and thanked the Tian Guo Marching Band for bringing the beauty of Dafa to Ogdensburg.

The Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to participate in the 63rd Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival.

Located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the city of Ogdensburg, New York hosts a 10-day International Seaway Festival in mid-July every year. It is one of the largest and longest-running festivals held annually in St. Lawrence County, attracting local attendees from Canada and the United States.

Chris Cole, chairman of the Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival Committee, said he was looking forward to the performance of the Tian Guo Marching Band.

Chris Cole, chairman of the Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival Committee, said before the parade began, “This year, more than 175 teams participated in the parade, divided into five sections, and attracted more than 20,000 spectators from the United States and Canada.”

He told Falun Gong practitioners, “I saw your section of the parade many years ago, and my colleagues also shared with me a lot of videos of your section of the parade. I was very impressed with your performance. I especially loved your one-of-a-kind costumes, which made people feel so bright.” He also said that he is looking forward to the performances of the Tian Guo Marching Band throughout this year.

Sandi says the Tian Guo Marching Band is her favorite team this year.

When Sandi saw the parade of the Tian Guo Marching Band from afar, she started clapping in rhythm of the marchers. As the parade passed her, she clapped and shouted to the band members: “You guys are amazing!” 

After the Tian Guo Marching Band passed by, Sandi excitedly held the arm of the Falun Gong practitioner who was on the side of the road, and kept saying, “They are really amazing. Thank them for coming to the parade, it’s so wonderful. Thank them for passing on such beautiful music to us. This is the best parade I have seen this year. I really love them. Their music, their costumes, everyone’s coordination, is so perfect. I was overjoyed with their music and I enjoyed it so much.”

When she learned that all the members of the band were Falun Dafa practitioners, Sandi said, “I was so touched. I am a registered nurse in Holistic Medicine, a treatment methodology that addresses physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health issues at the same time. The message you are sending resonates so much with me, and it’s wonderful.” 

When she heard about Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Sandi expressed her strong agreement and said with tears in her eyes: “I am a Catholic, and I am very touched by the fact that there are many intersections between Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and our teachings.”

Lindsey (1st from right) and her mother Jodi (2nd from right) and another family member, Casey (1st from left), thanked the Tian Guo Marching Band for bringing Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to their town.

As the Tian Guo Marching Band passed by Lindsey and her family, they all stood up from their chairs to applaud the band. “It’s the most spectacular of the year’s parade! They’re very cohesive and they seem to enjoy performing,” Lindsay said. 

Jodi, Lindsay’s mother, added, “Every single one of them was happy, even though it was hot today, they showed us the best of themselves. What amazed me the most was that there are a number of older musicians as well.”

“We also try to treat those around us with sincerity and kindness in our lives,” Lindsay said. “I am glad to have such a group of people come here for us to see. What’s so amazing is that they promote Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to more people.”

Josie enjoyed the parade with her family 

Josie saw the parade with her family and remarked, “It’s the biggest parade of the year. I was blown away by their performance. Each of them is in good spirits, organized, and it looks great. I saw the smile on everyone’s face, and I felt that the current society needed Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance even more so. I also felt that this was something that everyone needs to follow. I was very happy to see such a group of people here to show us the beauty of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”