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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 8 O nce again the time for Christmas shopping, baking and the gathering of family and friends will soon be upon us, as the thoughts of Oakvillians young and old gradually turn toward a visit from the big guy himself. Yes, Santa Claus will soon be making his yearly ride down the streets of Oakville in his great red sleigh. The Oakville Santa Claus Parade Committee has been as busy as elves over the summer, preparing for this year's 66th parade, which takes place Saturday, Nov. 15, starting at 9 a.m. This year's theme, A Canadian Christmas, invites parade participants and attendees to think about the special traditions and celebrations that mean Christmas in Canada to them. Oakville's 66th annual Santa Claus Parade is set for Nov. 15 We all look forward to the parade. For 66 years, it has signaled the beginning of the holiday season for those young and young at heart in Oakville. For the littlest ones, it's all new and amazing and for our seniors, each parade brings back many years of memories, joy, tradition and community. The Oakville Santa Claus Parade is pleased to launch its annual colouring contest, created again this year by award-winning cartoonist Steve Nease, well-known for his entertaining Pud cartoons. Children between the ages of five and 10 will have the chance to win a ride in the seat beside Mrs. Claus in the beautifully-decorated Cinderella carriage throughout the parade route. Children aged three and four will have the chance to win a special prize just for their age group. Once again, Oakville will welcome Mrs. Claus as the parade's Grand Marshal. Mrs. Claus is well known for keeping Santa Claus on his toes throughout the year, making sure all the toys are made in time for Christmas, the reindeer are in shape for flying and Santa's suit is shiny red for his Christmas Eve ad- ventures. She is looking forward to seeing familiar faces in the Oakville crowd as this is her eighth visit to town for the parade. The colouring contest is now available online and appears in today's Oakville Beaver. Kids, hurry and get your markers and crayons out because the colouring contest runs only until Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be notified Nov. 9. For contest rules and to download your entry form, check out the Santa website at www. oakvillesantaclausparade.ca. The parade committee is always looking for adult volunteers who can perform a number of duties on Parade Day. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Cathy Duddeck at cduddeck@hotmail.com. The parade will begin at Lakeshore Road East and Reynolds Street, go west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, north on Kerr and end at Kerr and Stewart streets. For more information on the Oakville Santa Claus Parade, visit www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca. -- submitted by the Santa Claus Parade Committee www.oakville.ca Oakville Santa Claus Parade Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 9 a.m. Guess who's making a stop in Oakville? Gather with family and friends in Kerr Village and Downtown Oakville on Saturday, November 15 at 9 a.m. (rain or shine) for Oakville's Santa Claus Parade! Remember, parking is limited so take advantage of our free Santa Shuttle. Don't worry about parking Take the free Oakville Transit Santa Shuttle to the parade this year. It will run from 8 to 11:15 a.m. with a departure from the Oakville GO station every 10 minutes and stopping at all regular stops along Reynolds to the Church/Dunn bus terminal. Please note: For safety reasons, children must be removed from strollers and/or wagons while on the bus. Strollers must be folded and wagons put in an upright position. Volunteer with us! Volunteers (14 years and older) are needed on the day of the parade to help in the following areas: parade logistics, parade marshalling, costumed characters and costumed character escort. A volunteer orientation meeting will be held Wednesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. (sign-up at 6:30 p.m.) in the South Atrium at Town Hall. Visit oakville.ca for more information. Can your family swim to survive? Family Swim to Survive lessons provides families (parents or caregivers and their children ages 5+) with the necessary skills required to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Certified instructors will teach you how to do a front roll into the water, tread water for two minutes, and swim 50-metres (two lengths of the pool). Lessons take place at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre and Centennial Pool. Family Swim to Survive Program The Family Swim to Survive program is offered as a preregistered three-week parented course for $6 per participant. Spaces are limited and first-come, first-served. Each person must register. This program is subsidized by the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund as part of the Make Your Move Getting Families Active grant. Visit oakville.ca for more information. community or seniors' centre. You can also download a form at oakville.ca Register in person until November 21 Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road ­ ServiceOakville counter Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only $96.05 ($85 plus HST) for the season! For more information, contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or visit oakville.ca Driveway Snow Windrow Clearing Program Registration is now open! If you are 65+ or have a physical disability or medical condition, you may be eligible for the Town of Oakville's driveway snow windrow clearing program. Our winter service will clear the snow pile left at the end of your driveway after the road has been plowed. Pick up an application form at Town Hall, any Oakville library,