(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the annual Kent Cornucopia Grand Parade in Kent, Washington, on July 12, 2026.
Falun Dafa practitioners from the greater Seattle area participated in the annual Kent Cornucopia Grand Parade on July 12. (Minghui.org)
This annual parade is part of Kent Cornucopia Days, a nationally recognized and award-winning festival that is one of the official Seafair community events. Kent Cornucopia Days is a community service project run by the Kent Lions Club and benefits more than 250 charitable organizations.
The practitioners’ entry was led by banners reading “Falun Dafa” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” A float decorated with lotus flowers carried practitioners demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises. The float was followed by a waist drum team.
Before the parade started, the event organizer told practitioners that she saw them at prior Seafair events and had been hoping that they would participate in the Kent parade. Her wish finally came true this year. Practitioners last participated in this parade in 2018.
Practitioners’ Entry Applauded Before the Parade
While practitioners waited to walk the parade route, and before they started performing, spectators on both sides of the street already started clapping.
People also praised the drum team’s traditional outfits, stating that they enhanced their appeal. Someone who previously saw practitioners in a parade in another city said, “I love your performance!”
“I Love You!”
As the practitioners proceeded along the parade route, people took out their phones and took photos and videos. Some people gave a thumbs-up even before they started performing. Every time the drummers finished performing a piece, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Many spectators cheered, “I love you!” “You are so beautiful!” Some people also said “Nihao” [“Hello” in Chinese]. One youngster said upon seeing a practitioner dressed as a celestial maiden on the float, “Oh my god, she is so beautiful!” Two women along the route sent practitioners air kisses with both hands. A practitioner told them about Falun Dafa, which they said they liked. Another person shouted, “So beautiful,” as practitioners walked past. A few children began doing the exercises by following practitioners’ exercise movements.
Commentator: “I Hope To Be Like This When I’m 90”
During the parade, the commentator introduced Falun Dafa to the spectators. He also shared his personal observations. He said his friend’s mother practices Falun Dafa, and is 90 years old, but still moves freely and gets up early every day to do the five exercises. The commentator said he hopes to be like her when he’s 90 years old.
“This Message You Are Spreading Is Great”
Many people read the banner: “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” They read each word out loud, and some took photos with their phones. “This message you are spreading is great. Thank you for coming here!” one exclaimed. Some showed their appreciation by bowing to the practitioners.
One group of parade participants, who were dressed as pirates, read out loud the words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” on the banner, and said they agreed as they greeted the practitioners.
People Voice Support for Falun Dafa
Because so many people were interested, practitioners had the chance to further explain the facts about the persecution. After two women heard about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa, they said it made them sad. When the practitioners passed by two police officers, one of them asked practitioners on the float where their group was from. One practitioner told him about Falun Dafa and the ongoing persecution. The police officer said he was shocked, but that, based on the CCP’s conduct, it did not actually surprise him.
After one man heard about the persecution in China, he was appalled and immediately said he wished to help. He also wanted to know more about the practice. Some people said they didn’t know about Falun Dafa before and planned on learning more online.
Copyright © 1999-2026 Minghui.org. All rights reserved.
