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23 · Friday, November 27, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Santa Parade was a big winner this year O akville hosted the 2009 Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Nov. 21 and what a parade it was! Marching bands, clowns, costumed characters, as well as corporations, community groups and schools put together some outstanding entries this year that had the audience singing along to A Rock 'N Roll Christmas, this year's parade theme. A record number of spectators lined the streets of Downtown Oakville and Kerr Village. Parade sponsors participated as judges for the parade and had a very difficult time this year because of the high quality of all of the entries. "I can honestly say that the time and effort put in to the entries this year was the best we've ever seen," said Pam Damoff, chair of the parade. "They were simply amazing, and I would not have wanted to try to pick the winners, because they were all outstanding this year." The winners were: · Best School -- St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School; Runner Up -- St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School · Best Commercial -- LIUNA ­ Labourers' Ontario Provincial District Council; Runner Up -- Rock This Way · Best Community -- Rotary Club of Oakville West; Runner Up -- Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton · Best Walking Group -- Annex Dance Academy; Runner Up -- 4th Trafalgar Scouts · Best Overall -- St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School · Oakville's Choice -- St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School; Runner Up -- Linhares Family · Best Costumed Character -- a tie between Peter Rabbit and the Elephant This was the first year that Oakville residents could vote for their choice for best float, and more than 500 people voted online for the Oakville's Choice Award. Not surprisingly, St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School's "Loyola Rocks" featuring a 1950s diner was the winner. Runner up was the Linhares Family with its Merry KISSmas entry. The Labourers' Ontario Provincial District Council featured Elvis singing Blue Christmas and other favourites. The Rotary Club of Oakville West also featured a 1950s theme, incorporating a vintage 1950s Corvette in their entry and even had 45s hanging from the Christmas tree. Annex Dance Academy danced and rocked along the parade route entertaining spectators with their lively dance moves. A monetary prize of $500 is awarded to the Best Overall Float. This award was determined by the highest overall score. Charitable groups and schools keep the prize money. Non-charitable groups must donate their prize money to the charity of their choice. The awards will be presented on Dec. 3 at the Operating Engineers Banquet Hall. Oakville charities were also big winners as residents were extremely generous with their donations. The Family & Friends of Falgarwood raised $4,000 for Wellspring-Halton and the Kerr Street Dream Centre. PHOTOS BY RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER IN THE LINEUP: From left, Annex Dance Academy was named the Best Walking Group, the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton was runner up as Best Community float, the Linhares family float was named runner up in the new Oakville Choice category. Ren's 12 Days of Christmas Savings! Sun Dec 13 Mon Dec 14 Tues Dec 15 Wed Dec 16 Thur Dec 17 Fri Dec 18 Sat Dec 19 Sun Dec 20 HELPING OUT: The Family & Friends of Falgarwood raised $4,000 for Wellspring Halton/Peel and the Kerr Street Dream Centre with the sale of red noses. The Kinsmen Club of Oakville was thrilled with the response to the food drive, collecting more than 16,000 pounds of food and $2,800, which will greatly benefit the Salvation Army. The Oakville Professional Fire Fighters also received a record number of toys for their Toy Drive. Photos of the winning entries and more can be found at www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca and www.oakvillebeaver.com. For a slideshow of the parade, visit the Oakville Beaver's website at www.oakvillebeaver.com/community/gallery/slideshow. Mon Dec 21 Tues Dec 22 Wed Dec 23 Thur Dec24 519·767·5858 Mon ck R 2 905·257·4611 www.renspets.com 1·866·736·7738