www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 20 hen Santa Claus comes to Town Saturday (Nov. 21), you can be sure people of all ages will line the streets of downtown and Kerr Village to see the many displays of Christmas spirit featured in this year's parade. The 2015 Oakville Santa Claus Parade is Saturday W nose, 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. Mrs. Claus plays a role Once again, Oakville will welcome Mrs. Claus as the Parade Grand Marshall. Mrs. Claus is well known for keeping Santa 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 adventures. Sharing the carriage with Mrs. Claus will be 10-year-old Sophie Dowd, this year's parade colouring contest winner. Exceptional marching bands No visit from Santa would be complete without marching bands playing and this year's lineup will definitely provide entertainment for all ages as they sing along to their favourite Christmas carols. The Halton Regional Police Service Pipes & Drums, dressed in their traditional Chisholm tartan, that we forget there are many who live in our community who go without over the holidays. Long history of giving 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. Both the Kinsmen Club of Oakville and the Oakville Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) will kickstart the parade by accepting your donations of spare change, canned goods and new, unwrapped toys. Gifts for older children are especially needed. The parade reminds those bringing gifts to not forget children over the age of 12. Last year, the Kinsmen collected a record number of donations for the Salvation Army. Red nose sales The Fun Group of Families and Friends of Falgarwood is celebrating its 21st year of selling noses for charity at the parade. What started as a group of funloving clowns enjoying the parade with their children has grown year after year and they hope to boost their total proceeds to more than $35,000 this year. Dressed as clowns, this group sells their famous `red noses' on Parade Day for $2, with all proceeds this year supporting WellspringHalton. Make sure when purchasing your Parade theme The theme of Oakville's 67th annual parade is `Christmas in Motion,' and encourages everyone in Oakville to think about the many activities, events and traditions that keep us moving during the holiday season. This year's theme honours 2015 as the `Year of Sport' in Canada and celebrates our recent local hosting of the Pan Am/Para Pan Am Games. And while he knows that we will all be busy with holiday preparations and obligations, Santa wants to remind us the holidays are about more than that. As Santa rides through downtown Oakville and heralds the start of the Christmas season in Oakville, he encourages everyone to think of those less fortunate during the holiday season. Sometimes we get so caught up with the excitement of Christmas will once again lead off the Santa Claus parade. Returning this year are the everpopular Optimists Alumni Drum Corps, Magnolia Brass Band, and the Top Hat Marching Orchestra from Burlington. This group has been entertaining audiences with its musical talent since 1982 and is always a parade favourite. Heralding Santa's arrival 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 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." New this year New this year, all parade-goers and participants are invited to enter the parade's social media photo contest to win a $250 gift card from RioCan Oakville Place. see Santa on p.24 A GIFT WAITING TO BE OPENED Some jewelry displayed patented (US Pat. No. 7,007,507) · © 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC · All rights reserved · PANDORA.NET THE ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT OF THE HOLIDAYS STRUNG ON SILVER. WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO BE? SHOWN: `ALL WRAPPED UP' CHARM IN .925 STERLING SILVER AND HAND-SET PAVÉ BRAMALEA CITY CENTRE 905.792.8820 SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTRE 905.232.0661 MAPLEVIEW CENTRE 905.632.5400 ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE 905.828.5902