www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 6, 2012 · 8 Oakville Academy of the Arts once again snags top three parade awards akville hosted the 2012 Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 17, 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 celebrating this year's parade theme, "Once Upon a Christmas." A record number of spectators lined the streets of downtown Oakville and Kerr Village to enjoy the 64th annual parade. For the third year in a row, a highlight was the fly-by of seven planes flying in a Christmas tree formation high above the parade route to kick off the fun. Parade sponsors were invited to participate as judges and had a very difficult time this year O because of the high quality entries. "I am constantly amazed at the time and effort put in to the entries, and this year was no exception," said Pam Damoff, parade chair and Town councillor. "They were simply amazing, and I would not have wanted to try to pick the winners, because they were all outstanding." The 2012 Santa Claus Parade winners are: · Best Overall Entry -- Oakville Academy for the Arts · Best Commercial Entry -- Oakville Academy for the Arts; Runner Up: Rock This Way; Honourable Mention: Bell Canada · Best Community Entry -- Walton Memorial United Church; Runner Up: Buckley Family; OUTLET 3315 FAIRVIEW ST., BURLINGTON · 905-634-3355 www.theBSOandsalon.com Riziero Vertolli / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog $ CHI 119.99 Limited Edition Snap On Style Ceramic Iron and 3 colour sleeves 1" The BSO - Burlington, Stoney Creek, Mississauga EXPIRY DECEMBER 31, 2012 Save $30 Reg. $149.99 SEBASTIAN $ 9.99 Save 44% Reg. $17.95 Choose from Shaper and Shaper Plus Hairsprays - 300 ml REPEAT HONOURS: The Oakville Academy for the Arts recently won its second consecutive Best Overall Entry title at this year's Santa Claus Parade. The honour came with a $500 prize, which the group donated to Kerr Street Ministries. The academy also won Best Commercial and People's Choice awards. Here, parade event organizer and Town Councillor Pam Damoff (front row, at right) presented the award to some of the young dancers, dance captain Cassie McMeekan (front row, at left), Kasey Bowers (top row, at left), Janet Martin (middle row, far right) and Heidi McMeekan (top row, far right). Honourable Mention: a tie between the 1st Trafalgar Scouts and Oakville Gymnastics · Best School -- a four-way tie between the three French language schools: École Secondaire Gaéton Gervais, École Patrice Picknell, École Du Chêne and Oakville Trafalgar High School Robotics team; Runner Up: T.A. Blakelock; Honourable Mention: St. Thomas Aquinas · Best Walking Group -- The Dog Rescuers See Charities page 9 2012 Holiday Traditions Featuring RBG Train Show November 16 to January 6 RBG Centre Have your pet's photo taken with Santa Thursday, December 6 and 13; 5 to 8 p.m. NEXT STOP RBG! RBG Centre 680 Plains Road West Hamilton/Burlington · 905-527-1158