As part of the 35th anniversary celebrations in Ottawa, a group of Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi TM members headed 100 km (60 miles) to help its Cornwall location celebrate five years on September 15. As the chartered school bus pulled up in front of City Hall, a welcoming committee was there with signs and hugs.
City councillor Bernadette Clément was also on hand to officially welcome the members on behalf of the mayor. After a demonstration of the 108-move set in front of City Hall and a few remarks, even Ms Clément donned the bright orange anniversary t-shirt to accompany the parade.
Members held up a banner, waved flags and greeted Saturday morning shoppers as the dragon followed them down Pitt Street to Lamoureux Park, right alongside the St. Lawrence River.
The dragon was happy to have the chance to come out and play after celebrations scheduled for the previous week in Ottawa were rained out. Once at the Lamoureux Park, the dragon put on a terrific show. Many families with young children came to pose for pictures.
More demonstrations followed in the park, with lots of interest from the public out for a walk in the crisp early fall air.
Media coverage of the event was excellent. A photo appeared on the front page of the Standard Freeholder paper on Monday, along with more photos and an article inside.
Cogeco, the local cable station, interviewed Branch members. The interview has been aired 18 times since!
After all that activity and fresh air, Cornwall members offered the entire group of close to 80 members a fabulous potluck lunch.
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