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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 4, 2011 · 18 Santa Claus parade features many local bands "Look! Up in the sky ­ it's a bird; it's a plane! It's a Christmas tree formation of planes!" This year's Santa Claus parade will start with a skyhigh thrill. Look up just before 9 a.m. to see seven airplanes flying in a Christmas tree formation overhead. Normally based at the North Pole, Santa is sending his very own squadron of airplanes to kick off this year's parade. "We are very excited to have Santa's planes flying overhead again this year, weather permitting of course," said Pam Damoff, Santa Claus Parade chair. "In keeping with our parade theme of 'All I Want for Christmas,' the parade fly-by will be a wish come true for parade-goers." 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. The Halton Regional Police Service Pipes & Drums, dressed in their traditional Chisholm tartan, will once again lead off the parade. Returning this year are the everpopular Optimists Alumni Drum Corps, Merriam Music Percussion Ensemble, Prime Time Brass and the 540 Air Cadets. Burlington's world-famous Top Hat Marching Orchestra will also return. This group has been entertaining audiences with its musical talent since 1982 and is always a parade favourite. The parade is delighted to feature Steve Gaul, a member of the Top Hat Marching Orchestra. In August Steve became the Guinness Book of World Record Holder for continuous drumming -- over 121 hours -- and he has personally raised more than $70,000 for cancer research. He lost his sister to cancer just before Christmas last year and is also a cancer survivor himself. "This is one of our best lineups ever of amazing talent," said Val Blackwell, the parade's band co-ordinator. 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 under the direction of music teacher, Mr. Gassi. For the third year, Burlington's MM Robinson Drumline will also be participating in the parade. Some people will remember the ROTC (Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corp) from Toronto from last year. This not-forprofit, performance-based organization forms 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. The award-winning 150 Hamilton Tiger Squadron Band, a 30-member Air Cadet Band based in the John Foote Armouries in downtown Hamilton, will be marching in the parade again this year. They practice once a week under the direction of Lieutenant C. Millen. With support from the squadron's commanding officer, Maj. C Daharry, the Tiger Band embodies the squadron's motto: Active and Eager. This drive and dedication has earned them some bragging rights, as they have been the Cadet Brass Reed Marching Band champions for Western Ontario for the past five years. In addition, we are welcoming the Oakville Filarmonica Marching Band for their second appearance this year. As the second oldest Portuguese band of Ontario, it began as small group of enthusiasts who got together in 1968 to participate in a religious feast of Santisima Trinidad. Today it is on its way to celebrating its 40th anniversary. Now in its 63rd year, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a cherished tradition in our town. The 2011 parade takes place Saturday, Nov. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at Lakeshore Road and Reynolds Street then turn west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, north on Kerr and wind up at Kerr and Stewart streets. For more information on the Oakville Santa Claus Parade, visit www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca or leave a message at 905-8155981. -- Submitted by the Santa Claus Parade Committee WANT TO MAKE 2012 YOUR BEST RUN YEAR EVER? JOIN THE PEAK CENTRE RUN CLUB eak Centre Burlington Run Club off f ers three weekly group runs to all registered participants. All long runs are fully supported. To T improve running performance, optimal cross-training designed specifically for running is available. For those runners looking to run faster, r longer or more effi f ciently, the Peak Centre off f ers a fully certified, state-of-the-art physiology lab where we test aerobic, anaerobic, VO2 and metabolic thresholds. These physiological markers are unique to each runner. r For those looking to use science to enhance performance, the Peak Centre testing services are available. Make 2012 your best year ever. r or at peakburlington@bellnet.ca (905) 333-8558 For more information contact us at