In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), Mr. Eric Huang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago led his team and members of the local Taiwanese community with its first-ever float in the 2019 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade on the morning of November 28, 2019.
Director General Huang explained during his interview by WGN 9 Chicago that TECO in Chicago’s expanded role in the parade commemorates the fact that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the TRA and Taiwan is thankful for U.S. support.
TECO in Chicago’s float was decorated with a giant inflatable doll of Mazu, Taiwan’s Goddess of the Sea, accompanied by various performance groups. Among the performances was a Taiwanese indigenous peoples dance, demonstrating the shared values of religious freedom and multiculturalism between Taiwan and the United States.
Taking part were members of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FAFSCA) who performed a Techno Dance of God Prince Nezha and dances of indigenous peoples. The Chicago Alumni Association of NCCU, a major university in Taiwan, also performed traditional drumming on the float. The groups were warmly received by onlookers.
The Friends of Taiwan Association, a local charity group, also sponsored a booth that day to pass out complimentary baseball caps with the association’s colorful logo. People flocked to the booth to get and wear the cap, making Taiwan a highlight at the event.
More than 100,000 people in downtown Chicago watched the parade this year. WGN 9 also live broadcast the parade to its audience in Chicagoland.
Photo 1: WGN 9 Chicago live broadcast the “Techno Dance of God Prince Nezha” and dances of indigenous peoples of the TECO Parade. (screenshot from WGN 9 live screen, website: https://wgntv.com/…/watch-the-86th-annual-chicago-thanksgi…/)
Photo 2: Director General Huang interviewed by WGN 9 Chicago, emphasizing that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the TRA. (screenshot from WGN 9 live screen, website: https://wgntv.com/…/watch-the-86th-annual-chicago-thanksgi…/)
Photo 3: Director General and Mrs. Eric Huang (front row, 1st & 2nd from the right) waving to the crowd. Banner in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act in the background.
Photo 4: Director General and Mrs. Eric Huang (front row, 2nd and 3rd from the right) standing on the TECO float with R.O.C National Flags.
Photo 5：Director General and Mrs. Eric Huang waving to the crowd from the TECO float. (screenshot from WGN 9 live screen, website: https://wgntv.com/…/watch-the-86th-annual-chicago-thanksgi…/)
Photo 6：Photos of Director General and Mrs. Eric Huang (front row, 2nd & 3rd from the right) with friends who received Caps of "Friends of Taiwan" Association.
Video 1：Director General Huang being interviewed by WGN 9 Chicago： please visit WGN 9 website：https://wgntv.com/…/watch-the-86th-annual-chicago-thanksgi…/ (Interview starting from the 27nd minutes and the 49th seconds)
Video 2：WGN 9 Chicago live broadcast the TECO float in the parade：please visit WGN 9 website : https://wgntv.com/…/watch-the-86th-annual-chicago-thanksgi…/ (parade starting from the first hour the 34th minutes and the 26th second)
