(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from upstate New York were invited to participate in the 48th Tri-State Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade in Port Jervis on December 8, 2019. Practitioners were awarded with a special recognition by parade organizers for bringing the largest entry to this annual holiday celebration.

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the 48th Tri-State Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.

More than 30 groups dressed in their holiday costumes marched for two hours through Port Jervis, a quaint city located at the juncture of three states, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Joyful Christmas music, Santa Claus, vintage cars, happy children, and snow turned Port Jervis into a winter wonderland.

The Falun Dafa procession was headed by an energetic waist drum team, followed by practitioners carrying banners with, “Falun Dafa” “Truthfulness. Compassion, Forbearance” and “Merry Christmas.”

Audrey and George are happy to see Falun Dafa practitioners in Port Jervis.

Audrey and her husband George said Falun Dafa practitioners were very friendly and kind people. They welcomed Falun Dafa to Port Jervis. Audrey said, “Falun Dafa's Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are great universal values!”

Ron (first from left) and his family praise the Falun Dafa procession and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Police officer T. Kimiecik (first from left) and his colleague are happy to receive lotus flowers.

Police officer T. Kimiecik said the lotus flowers reminded him of the Falun Dafa parade in August this year, which deeply impressed him. He said that the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are great, but not easy to live by, and that he was still working on forbearance.

Christine and her husband have seen Falun Dafa group exercises and would like to learn more about the practice.

Ulana Emerson (first from left) and Joe (second from right), board members of the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce, with Falun Gong practitioners

Robert said the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Dafa is wrong.

Heather said she will tell her friends about Falun Dafa.

Falun Dafa group is recognized as the largest entry in the parade.