GOACC Announces Parade Winners
GOACC Announces Parade Winners
photo/Vic Ozogar
OLEAN – Forty units and more than 579 adults and children took part in the 36th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held Friday, November 26th in downtown Olean. Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Jason Crisafulli, GOACC Board Vice President; and Paula Bernstein, Olean City Schoolswere selected as the judges for this season’s parade. More than 2,200 people lined both sides of the street to watch the parade.
Congratulations to this year’s award winners:
The Blitzen Award, sponsored by the Times Herald was awarded to Hill View Stables of Olean as the most photogenic float or unit.
The Seasons Greetings Award, sponsored by Olean PC Repair and Security Cameras by Joe Duplechian was awarded to AudioTrax West of Portville, NY as the best newcomer to the parade.
The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., was awarded to Conkey’s Automotive of Olean for the float with the most or best use of lights.
The Snowflake Award, sponsored by the Street Classics Car Club was awarded to Olean Cub Scout Pack 617 for the unit with the most participants in the parade.
The Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, was awarded to Church Without Walls (CWOW) of Olean as the most spiritual/religious float or unit.
The Elves Award, sponsored by Owl Home Groups, was awarded to Paul Brown Motors of Olean for the float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child.
The Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Milestone Financial Strategies, was awarded to Step Up Dance Academy of Allegany as the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit.
The Sleigh Award, presented by The Bantelman Agency, was awarded to Knapp Creek Volunteer Fire Department as the most decorated larger truck (fire truck, flatbed, utility vehicles, etc.)
“The embellishments of the six additional arches to Lincoln Park and a new 14’ plus 3’ star panel tree at the mall roundabout were GREAT ADDITIONS to Santa Claus Lane,” stated Meme Krahe Yanetsko, GOACC COO. “We also had a round of fireworks by Young Fireworks right after the lights were lit by the Clauses; we wanted to celebrate how the area has come together in the last 18 months - all the front line staff and their dedication as well as in memory of all those that we lost during the last months.”
The greater Olean area is a well-diversified community and as such, people from all walks of life and religion attended the parade to celebrate the gifts and graces of the holiday season. It is truly a night when the community comes together. For more information about the greater Olean area and upcoming events, call the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 716-372-4433 or email santa@oleanny.com.