Wednesday, November 29, 2006 · Page 8 The start of the holiday season began in Essex Nov. 21, with the Business Improvement Area's annual tree decorating ceremony at Town Hall. More than 100 students of Holy Name School and Maplewood Public School placed ornaments on the town's Christmas Tree. Friday night, crowds gathered to view the tree dressed with ornaments, lights and ribbons. Holiday season Award winners for both commercial and non-commercial parade participants were also announced by the BIA. kicks off in Essex Essex Foodland earned the top spot for the commercial category, while parade floats for Shopper's Drug Mart and Tim Horton's were awarded second and third places. In the non-commercial category, Bethel Maidstone and Gesto United Churches won first place, while second place resulted in a tie between Essex Gospel Tabernacle and Essex Girl Guides. The Essex Optimist Club took third place. On Nov. 25, the annual Essex BIA Santa Claus Parade marched down Maidstone Avenue and onto Talbot Street, as local residents lined the sidewalks eagerly awaiting the arrival of old St. Nick.