Italy’s first annual Christmas festival: Parade

Image: Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas! — Santa and his lovely wife Mrs. Claus are front & center as they pass through downtown Italy, Texas during Italy’s first annual Christmas festival.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas! — Santa and his lovely wife Mrs. Claus are front & center as they pass through downtown Italy, Texas during Italy’s first annual Christmas festival. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Clover Stiles Leads Parade — Clover helped pull off an amazing Christmas parade and town festival this year.

Clover Stiles Leads Parade — Clover helped pull off an amazing Christmas parade and town festival this year. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Italy Police Float — The Italy Police Department participates in the Christmas parade.

Italy Police Float — The Italy Police Department participates in the Christmas parade. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Cowgirl Up — A beautiful display of patriotism led the Christmas parade through Italy.

Cowgirl Up — A beautiful display of patriotism led the Christmas parade through Italy. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Dallas Cowboy Keith Davis — Dallas Cowboy Keith Davis, a former wide receiver and linebacker for the Italy Gladiators, joins the fun and tosses tootsie-rolls to the parade watchers.

Dallas Cowboy Keith Davis — Dallas Cowboy Keith Davis, a former wide receiver and linebacker for the Italy Gladiators, joins the fun and tosses tootsie-rolls to the parade watchers. (Elaine Richards)

Image: The Mayor Loves Parades — The Mayor is beaming with pride as he enjoys participating in the downtown parade.

The Mayor Loves Parades — The Mayor is beaming with pride as he enjoys participating in the downtown parade. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Citizens National Bank of Texas — Citizens National Bank of Texas members wave and smile at large crowds gathered to watch the floats parade by.

Citizens National Bank of Texas — Citizens National Bank of Texas members wave and smile at large crowds gathered to watch the floats parade by. (Elaine Richards)

Image: The Italy Neotribune / Monolithic Float — Members of the Italy Neotribune and Monolithic Constructors, Inc. ride a holiday float featuring a concrete dome igloo.

The Italy Neotribune / Monolithic Float — Members of the Italy Neotribune and Monolithic Constructors, Inc. ride a holiday float featuring a concrete dome igloo. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Happy Trails — A very happy elf, Anne Sutherland, rides and waves at parade goers from the back of the Italy Neotribune / Monolithic float.

Happy Trails — A very happy elf, Anne Sutherland, rides and waves at parade goers from the back of the Italy Neotribune / Monolithic float. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Mascot On Wheels — The Italy Gladiator Mascot rides in style during the Christmas parade Saturday.

Mascot On Wheels — The Italy Gladiator Mascot rides in style during the Christmas parade Saturday. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Royal Holiday — Royal Ambassadors share a pot of food and a friendly smile with the Christmas parade watchers.

Royal Holiday — Royal Ambassadors share a pot of food and a friendly smile with the Christmas parade watchers. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Necro Plex Ghost Float — Necro Plex haunts the streets of Italy with a scary yet festive float .

Necro Plex Ghost Float — Necro Plex haunts the streets of Italy with a scary yet festive float . (Elaine Richards)

Image: Hulk Was All Smiles — Even the Incredible Hulk couldn’t get angry during the Christmas parade and Festival in downtown Italy Saturday.

Hulk Was All Smiles — Even the Incredible Hulk couldn’t get angry during the Christmas parade and Festival in downtown Italy Saturday. (Elaine Richards)

Image: We’re In Here Santa! — Jenna Chambers is sure to let Santa know where to throw the candy.

We’re In Here Santa! — Jenna Chambers is sure to let Santa know where to throw the candy. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Where’s Walton? — Italy’s First Baptist Church uses Bailey Walton’s head to decorate the side of their bus for the parade.

Where’s Walton? — Italy’s First Baptist Church uses Bailey Walton’s head to decorate the side of their bus for the parade. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Italy Band Rocks Christmas — It’s not a parade unless the band is there, otherwise it’s just a glorified traffic jam.

Italy Band Rocks Christmas — It’s not a parade unless the band is there, otherwise it’s just a glorified traffic jam. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Do Not Adjust Your Monitor — The Haight Family’s mini cars are a ballooned up and ready to cruise into christmas.

Do Not Adjust Your Monitor — The Haight Family’s mini cars are a ballooned up and ready to cruise into christmas. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Doing The Wave — The Italy Lady Gladiators wave to the festival crowds as their parade float passes.

Doing The Wave — The Italy Lady Gladiators wave to the festival crowds as their parade float passes. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Parade Announcer Bryant Cockran — Stand-up comedian & parade announcer Bryant Cockran narrated the days events.

Parade Announcer Bryant Cockran — Stand-up comedian & parade announcer Bryant Cockran narrated the days events. (Elaine Richards)

Image: Three Cheers For Christmas — Italy Cheerleaders pose in their Santa caps during the parade and festival.

Three Cheers For Christmas — Italy Cheerleaders pose in their Santa caps during the parade and festival. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gold Guild Cranks It Up — Gold Guild cranks up the Gladiator Spirit during the Christmas Parade.

Gold Guild Cranks It Up — Gold Guild cranks up the Gladiator Spirit during the Christmas Parade. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Italy Fire Department Celebrates — Italy Fire Department volunteers relied on bright smiles and bright red engines to light up the parade.

Italy Fire Department Celebrates — Italy Fire Department volunteers relied on bright smiles and bright red engines to light up the parade. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Mamma’s Place Joins The Fun — Mamma’s family poses with their festive float before the big parade heads into downtown Italy.

Mamma’s Place Joins The Fun — Mamma’s family poses with their festive float before the big parade heads into downtown Italy. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Friends and candy canes — These young Santa helpers participated in Italy’s first annual Christmas Festival doing their part to spread Christmas cheer.

Friends and candy canes — These young Santa helpers participated in Italy’s first annual Christmas Festival doing their part to spread Christmas cheer. (Anne Sutherland)

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