(Minghui.org) The Tian Guo Marching Band, formed by Falun Dafa practitioners from Toronto and Montreal, was once again invited to participate in the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade in Waterloo on October 12, 2026.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest was founded in 1969 and is North America’s largest Bavarian festival. The annual Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts visitors from across Canada and the United States.

This year, the Tian Guo Marching Band performed eight pieces, including Falun Dafa Is Good, Falun Holy King, Buddha Mercy Sacred Music, and Delivering Precious Gifts. The band was applauded and cheered by spectators on both sides of the parade route. Spectators cheered after the band finished a piece, waved, and gave band members the thumbs-up.

The Tian Guo Marching Band performs in the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade on October 12, 2026. (Minghui.org)

Parade Staff: “They Are Great”

Steve, a parade staff member, said that around 114 groups participated in the parade this year, attracting tens of thousands of people, including people from the United States and Canada.

While the Tian Guo Marching Band was rehearsing, Steve took photos of the band with his phone. He said, “They are great. We see them every year, including in the upcoming Christmas parade. Their outfits are very appealing. Their music is great.”

Local Attendees Appreciate Practitioners’ Performance

Stephanie (Minghui.org)

Stephanie, a Waterloo resident, also participated in the parade. When she and her mother passed by the band’s rehearsal site, her mother took out her phone and took photos of the band. This was their first time they saw the Tian Guo Marching Band.

Stephanie said the band was colorful and beautiful and she enjoyed their music: “Sounds great. I like it a lot. That was the first sound I heard from afar.” She also said that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance can bring resilience to society. “I think we really need [Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance], and there is not enough discussion regarding this in society.”

Kara and her daughter enjoy the Tian Guo Marching Band every year. (Minghui.org)

Kara and her daughter Jacqueline watched the parade together. Kara said, “I started watching this parade when I was Jacqueline’s age. She’s seen the Tian Guo Marching Band multiple times in previous years. We saw them practicing, which made both of us excited about the upcoming event. They are truly an excellent band.

“They’re great musicians. They work together very well. They seem to always show up as the grand finale formation. That progressive build-up in atmosphere feels great,” Kara added.

When she heard that the band members range widely in ages and that they all have jobs but train during their free time, Kara remarked, “They are very talented and cooperate very well. Thank you for coming. It’s really a happy occasion to see their performance every year.”

Mark enjoyed the parade. (Minghui.org)

Spectator Mark told practitioners, “I remember you from the parade before. The scale of this band left a deep impression on me—so many people! Also those ladies who play the drums—they are excellent. I’m really pleasantly surprised.”

After learning that some band members came from all the way from Montreal, he said, “Great! Thank you for coming here.”

Mark had previously seen Falun Dafa information booths at a heritage festival and at Victoria Park. He shared his understanding of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance: “It is being honest and having kindness for people. [Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance] make the society better and bring everyone together to live in harmony. This is exactly what we need.”

This opera singer (left) had high praise for the Tian Guo Marching Band. (Minghui.org)

A woman who is an opera singer and who teaches music really got into the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance. She kept moving along with the band’s rhythm and exclaimed, “This is the best band! Wonderful!” She watches the parade every year and saw the band last year. She said that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance perfectly match the atmosphere of this festival where everybody gets along so harmoniously.

Catherine (left) and Erin (right) like the band. (Minghui.org)

Sisters Catherine and Erin also enjoyed the band’s performance, “The music sounds great. We were just saying that they work together so well.”

Erin shared her first impression of the band: “It was a uniform feeling—everybody is wearing a uniform, has the same steps, and [marches] along with the beautiful music.” 

Catherine added, “We’ve also looked forward to military band performances, and they are exactly the model we were looking for.”

Upon learning that the band’s costumes were inspired by thousands of years of history and tradition, one sister said, “This is very meaningful. I’ll take a better look at them. I wish I knew this background information earlier.”

Regarding Falun Dafa’s principles, Erin said, “I feel this is very important.” Catherine added, “If everyone followed these values, I think the world would be better—absolutely.”

Robert praised the Tian Guo Marching Band. (Minghui.org)

Robert, a carpenter, was interested in the band’s outfits. He called them “quite eye-catching.” When he learned that the design came from the Tang Dynasty and the band members are Falun Dafa practitioners who adhere to Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Robert said, “I think these qualities should be in everyone’s life. Truthfulness is very important. I think compassion is also very important. I think everyone should have these qualities.”