Rancho Folclorico Cruz de Cristo Dancers danced right into first place at this summer's Hats Off Day parade.
The Heights Merchants Association announced the winner in the category of Best Overall Entry in a press release.
The Portuguese dance group, which was formed more than 40 years ago, received the award at a recent presentation at the Vancity Burnaby Heights branch, according to the release.
Other awards were also presented in various categories, including Best Overall Entry, Best Parade Theme, Most Creative Entry, Most Imaginative Merchant and Best Community/Cultural Group.
"All of the category winners showed their creativity with this year's Mad Hatter's Tea Party theme. Your outstanding participation in the parade helped make this year's theme come alive and will inspire groups in next year's parade," Isabel Kolic, executive director of the Heights Merchants Association, said in the release.
Seton Villa won for Best Parade Theme, Gizeh Shriners International Inc. won for Most Creative Entry, Italian Director Magazine won for Most Imaginative Merchant, and Burnaby Public Library, the McGill branch, won for Best Community/Cultural Group.
The library branch also received an honourable mention as second in the Best Overall Entry category. Seton Villa and Burnaby North Marching Band tied for an honourable mention as third in that category, and Confederation Park Seniors' Centre and Franklin Preschool tied for an honourable mention for being fourth in that category, as well.
Sweet Pea Coastal Programs received an honourable mention for being the Best Parade Theme runner-up.
Hats Off Day takes place annually on the first Saturday of June.
