(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners from Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas, participated in the South County Fourth of July Parade held in The Woodlands, a satellite city of Houston, to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary of its independence on July 4, 2026.
The South County Fourth of July Parade is one of the largest Independence Day parades in Texas. This year marked its 50th anniversary, and coincides with the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. This year’s event was larger than ever, with nearly 150 participating groups, including high school bands, military bands, veteran organizations, mounted police, and non-profit organizations. The Southern U.S. Falun Dafa Association was once again invited to participate.
The parade not only featured gun salutes and the appearance of the American eagle, a symbol of the American spirit, but also reenactments of historical figures from the Revolutionary War, and a military flyover along the parade route. The 1.3-mile route was packed with spectators expressing their patriotism. The organizer estimated that approximately 30,000 people lined the parade route.
The parade officially began at 9 a.m. Falun Dafa practitioners carried American flags, followed by two large banners with words “Falun Dafa in Texas,” and “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Next came the float, colorful flags, and the waist drum team. Practitioners in golden costumes demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on a float, with young practitioners dressed as celestial maidens sitting on a huge pink lotus flower.
Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Independence Day parade in The Woodlands on July 4, 2026. (Minghui.org)
Practitioners passed out information about Falun Dafa. (Minghui.org)
“You Are Doing Good for the Whole World”
Spectator David said he knew about Falun Dafa years ago. “I saw practitioners every year during the Independence Day parade,” he said. “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is consistent with American values.”
David praised the practitioners for doing good for the whole world. (Minghui.org)
David said he has many friends from China and pays close attention to Chinese issues, and he knows about the Tiananmen Square Massacre and the persecution of Falun Dafa. He said the practitioners’ group was very well organized, “Your music and costumes are beautiful!”
Speaking about practitioners actively engaging in community events and bringing traditional values to Americans, David exclaimed, “You are doing good for the whole world!”
Woman Praised Falun Dafa’s Guiding Principles
Lisa praised the practitioners’ waist drum team, and said, “I love this music.”
Lisa (Minghui.org)
Lisa said she’s heard about Falun Dafa, “Their philosophy is peaceful, and its principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are very good. I’m a Christian and I don’t want to see these innocent people being persecuted. I hope they can get through this calamity.”
Woman From Malaysia Pleasantly Surprised to See Practitioners
Jane, who lives in The Woodlands and moved to the U.S. from Malaysia in 2019, said she often saw practitioners holding events in Malaysia. She was pleasantly surprised to see Falun Dafa practitioners at the U.S. Independence Day parade.
She asked about the current situation of practitioners being persecuted in China. She said she admired the freedom of belief enjoyed by the American people, which is a stark contrast to China. Speaking Chinese, she sincerely wished practitioners success.
“I Especially Loved the Waist Drums”
Michelle, who was attending the event for the first time, watched the parade with her two children. She said, “We love the variety of things in the parade,” but she was particularly impressed by practitioners, “Their performance was fantastic, very exciting, and my children especially loved the waist drums.”
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