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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 16, 2012 · 24 Santa's own squadron of planes to kick off parade ook. Up in the sky -- it's a bird; it's a plane; it's a Christmas tree formation of planes. This year's Oakville Santa Claus Parade will start with a sky-high thrill. Make sure to look up just before 9 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 17) 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 Oakville's 64th annual parade. "We are very excited to have Santa's planes flying overhead again this year," said Pam Damoff, parade chair. "In keeping with our parade theme of Once Upon a Christmas, the fly-by will kick off a season of special holiday memories 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 and L 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 traditional Chisholm tartan, will once again lead off the parade. Returning this year are the everpopular Optimists Alumni Drum Corps, Magnolia Brass Band, Prime Time Brass and the HMCS Star. The world-famous Top Hat Marching Orchestra from Burlington will also return this year to delight the 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 the band brings its unique style to the Oakville parade. The parade is delighted to welcome three new bands to its impressive line-up this year -- the Malvern Collegiate Marching Band from Toronto, wearing its traditional kilts and red tunics, the Jean Vanier Drum Line, newly formed this year at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, and the Western Mustang Band, the award-winning marching and pep band from the University of Western Ontario. "This is one of our best lineups ever of amazing talent," said Val Blackwell, band co-ordinator for the 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 Burlington's M.M. Robinson Drumline, participating in the parade for the fourth time. Some people will remember the ROTC Toronto (Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps) from last year. Returning for the third time, 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. In addition, we are welcoming the Oakville Filarmonica Marching Band for its third appearance this year. As the second oldest Portuguese band of Ontario, it began as a small group of enthusiasts who got together in 1968 to participate in a religious feast of Santissima Trindad. Today, the band is on its way to celebrating its 40th anniversary and continues to show the talents of wonderful musicians, old and new, who always work hard in serving the entire community with musical culture. The Oakville parade is thrilled to welcome the Stilt Guys for the first time to its lineup this year. Providing entertainment across the world since 2004, the performers -- featured this year on the hit reality TV show Dragon's Den -- have delighted crowds at such venues as Superbowl XL in Detroit, Michigan and at the Canada Day celebrations of the Canadian consulate in London, England. Now in its 64th year, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a cherished tradition in our town. The year's parade begins at 9 am. at Lakeshore Road and Reynolds Street, travels west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, then heads north on Kerr where it will end at Kerr and Stewart streets. For more information on the parade, visit www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca. -- Submitted by the Oakville Santa Claus Parade Committee The Regional Municipality of Halton Access Halton at: www.halton.ca Dial 311 Flu Immunization Clinics Open The Halton Region Health Department is offering free seasonal u immuniation clinics to Ontarians six months of age and over. or clinic hours and locations or to sign up for u clinic emails visit haltoncau or dial 311 No appointments necessary. Follow the White Ra bbit Overseas in 2013 DeNure Tours has a variety of overseas tours for 2013. Prices include airfare, accommodation, motorcoach travel, daily breakfast and dinner, all highlights listed in your itinerary and all taxes. Turn on the trees Tonight the Downtown Oakville BIA will officially light the Christmas tree in Towne Square. There will be free hot apple cider and hot chocolate during a concert by The Salvation Army Band and St. Andrew's Children's Choir, a Christmas carol sing-along with the Appleby College Choir, followed by Holiday Jazz. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. with the sing-along at 7 p.m. in Towne Square (George Street at Lakeshore Road East), followed by the tree lighting at 7:30 p.m. Kerr Village will also host its 18th annual Christmas Tree Lighting tonight in Heritage Square ( Florence Drive and Kerr Street) from 6-9 p.m. Sponsored by the Kerr Village BIA and Kerr Community Consultation Committee, there will be musical entertainment by Redman Live and Tia McGraff, food samples from neighbourhood restaurants, and Santa Claus taking wish list requests. Kerr Village BIA has once again partnered with the Halton Regional Police Service as supporters of the Toys for Tots program. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made at the tree lighting -- merchant drop-off locations in Kerr Village will be available starting Dec. 1. For information, visit www.kerrvillage.ca. Bronte Village will host its tree lighting Saturday, Nov. 24 in Centriller Square. the FLU ends with 161112 Call for your copy of our Overseas Brochure today! Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. 1-888-716-5523 denuretours.com