The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

23 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 6, 2009 Volunteers are at the heart of the Santa parade T he Oakville Santa Claus Parade is pleased to announce that Mrs. Claus will once again be leading the Oakville Santa Claus Parade as the Grand Marshall. One lucky child who wins the colouring contest will ride with Mrs. Claus in the beautifully decorated Cinderella carriage throughout the parade route. Children still have time to enter the colouring contest, as the deadline is Nov. 10. Get your entry forms in fast. Contest forms are available online at www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca. Children between five and 10 years old will have the chance to win the seat beside Mrs. Claus. The runner-up will ride in a window in Santa's float. Children ages three and four will have the chance to win a special prize just for their age group. No visit from Santa would be complete without marching bands playing the streets of downtown Oakville and Kerr Village on parade day. This year's lineup will definitely provide entertainment for all ages and everyone will get into the Christmas spirit as they sing along to their favourite Christmas carols. The Halton Regional Police Service Pipes & Drums, dressed in its traditional Chisholm tartan, will once again lead off the Santa Claus Parade. Returning this year are the ever- popular Optimists Alumni Drum Corps, Merriam Music Percussion Ensemble, Prime Time Brass and the 540 Air Cadets. The world-famous Top Hats Marching Orchestra from Burlington will also be returning this year to delight young and young at heart. This group has been entertaining audiences with its musical talent since 1982 and is always a parade favourite. Heralding the arrival of Santa, the award-winning Top Hats are sure to bring a smile to your face as they bring their unique style to the Oakville parade. "This is one of our best lineups ever of marching bands," said Val Blackwell, band co-coordinator for the Oakville Santa Claus Parade. "Be ready to sit back, tap your toes and be entertained by some of the finest musicians in North America." Keep your eye out for another great performance by the enthusiastic White Oaks Secondary School Marching Band; Oakville's first and only school marching band. The band made its successful debut in the 2005 parade and is becoming a parade tradition. For the second year, Burlington's M.M. Robinson Drumline will be participating in the parade. Some people will remember the ROTC Toronto (Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corp) from a few years' back. This not-for-profit performance-based organization form a modern-day colour guard, twirling flags, spinning rifles, dancing and using other props to create a stunning visual production, choreographed to some of today's hottest sounds. Two bands new to Oakville round out the lineup this year. The first is the Magnolia Brass Band of Toronto, a traditional New Orleans-style street parade band. Founded in 1980 by Patrick Tevlin and legendary trumpeter Kid Bastien, the Magnolia performs regularly at New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. The other new band in 2009 is the Blue Saints Drum Corps from Sudbury, bringing its very distinguished history within the drum corps community. Now in its 61st year, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a cherished tradition in our town. The 2009 parade takes place Saturday, Nov. 21st, beginning at 9 am. The parade will begin at Lakeshore Road 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 or leave a message at 905-815-5981. -- Submitted by the Oakville Santa Claus Parade PUBLIC NOTICE - HEARING AIDS The latest development in hearing aid technology, the Neuro - compensator hearing aid, developed in part at McMaster University, is now available at We're Closer Than YOU THINK CO-ED MONTESSORI, JUNIOR, MIDDLE, SENIOR HEAR RIGHT CANADA 2457 Mount Forest Drive (at Guelph Line) Burlington 905-335-5252 hearrightcanada.ca 5314 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON (905) 333-0009 www.lakeshoreplace.ca "Providing quality care and service is our business." Open House and Christmas Bazaar! Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Christmas Shopping for your Stocking! Crafts, Homemade Goodies, Clothing, and more. Visit us for some unique and lovely gift ideas! Tour of our suites available. Come and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider. $ 3,375 UP TO SAVE WITH GREAT REBATES + $ 1,350 MORE WITH THE TAX CREDIT Hurry! Offer ends November 13, 2009 Details on carrier.ca Government rebates subject to change.