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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 6, 2014 | 24 hen Santa Claus comes to town Saturday, Nov. 15, you can be sure people of all ages will line the streets of Downtown and Kerr Village to CONCRETE The Santa Claus Parade is coming to town W see the many displays of Christmas spirit featured in this year's parade. The theme of Oakville's 66th annual parade is A Canadian Christmas, and encourages everyone to think about the multitude of meanings of Christmas here in Canada. This year, Santa's got a brand new bag. Santa is proud to debut his new float in the 66th annual parade. His previous float was built in 1997 and it was time for an upgrade. In this year's parade, Santa will guide his new float, inspired by none other than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and built by his top design elves and led by Rudolph and his eight other trusty reindeer, as he heralds the start of the Christmas season in Oakville. As always, Santa encourages everyone to think of those less fortunate this holiday season. Sometimes we get so caught up in the excitement of Christmas, we forget there are many in our community who go without over the holidays. Oakville's Santa Claus Parade has a long history of giving with its toy and food drives and the sale of red noses for charity to make our community a better place for those less fortunate. Every parent would agree the joy on the face of a child on Christmas morning is what memories are made of. Yet, what about those families who struggle to place even one gift under the tree? The Oakville Professional Fire Fighters firmly believe every child deserves at least one special gift and so once again this year, a crew will be on hand to accept new, unwrapped toys from parade-goers. Bring along your unwrapped gift with you on parade day. Gifts for older children are especially needed. The parade committee reminds those bringing gifts to not forget children over the age of 12. Both the Kin Club and the firefighters kickstart the parade by accepting donations of spare change, canned goods and new, unwrapped toys. Last year, the Kinsmen collected a record number of donations: $4,700 in cash and more than 7,000 pounds of food. The Fun Group of Families and Friends of Falgarwood is celebrating its 20th year of selling noses for charity at the parade. What started as a group of funloving clowns enjoying the parade with its children, has grown year after year and the hope to boost total proceeds to more than $35,000 this year. Dressed as clowns, this group sells its famous red noses on parade day for $2, with all proceeds this year supporting Wellspring-Halton. When purchasing your nose, make sure you get it from these clowns as they are the only group sanctioned by the parade for red-nose sales. They are easily identified by their red sweatshirts or red aprons. No visit from Santa would be complete without marching bands, and this year's lineup will definitely provide entertainment for all ages as they sing along to their favourite EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) · DRIVEWAYS · STEPS · FRENCH CURBS · WALKWAYS · PATIOS · GARAGE FLOORS uality At Its Best! Call Fernando 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com FREE ESTIMATES Christmas carols. The Oakville parade is thrilled to welcome the world-famous Burlington Teen Tour Band for the first time this year. Since its humble beginnings in 1947, the Burlington Teen Tour Band has grown into Canada's oldest and largest youth marching band. At 150 members strong, it has had the honour of representing Burlington and Canada on the world stage in such countries as England, Ireland, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In addition, the band has performed for heads of state and royalty as well as in movies and at prestigious events such as the Rose Bowl Parade, the 50th & 60th anniversaries of D-Day, the Orange Bowl Parade and the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbour, to just name a few. The Halton Regional Police Service Pipes & Drums, dressed in traditional Chisholm tartan, will once again lead off the Santa Claus parade. Returning this year are the everpopular Optimists Alumni Drum see Parade on p.28 It is not without a price, that we live in a land that is free. In honour of our brave veterans ­ for your service, endurance, sacrifice and wisdom that we all too often take for granted. We are humbled by your bravery and inspired by your love of country. With deep appreciation and respect, we thank you. Remembering Our Veterans All-Inclusive Retirement Living · www.amica.ca 14-1422 Amica at Oakville 160 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON 905.842.8167