The 2nd Annual Italy Christmas Parade and Festival, hosted by the City of Italy and the Italy Park Board, was held on Saturday, December 5 and was a fun time for all ages.

Vendors began setting up their booths at 7:00 a.m. Parade participants gathered their floats in the Italy High School parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Then the parade rolled along Main Street in downtown Italy just after 10:00 a.m.

Bryant “Mr. Microphone” Cockran was the Master of Ceremonies introducing the floats as they neared Italy City Hall.

There were sirens as the Italy Police Department along with the Italy, Forreston and Milford Volunteer Fire Departments each chimed in.

Horses lead the Christmas convoy which included several businesses from around the community, church floats, four-wheelers, the Gladiator Regiment Band and the Italy High School and Junior High Cheerleaders who stopped in front of Italy City Hall to perform a cheer.

The IYAA Cheerleaders celebrated as floats carried the players from the IYAA, B & C-Team Superbowl Champions, and the A-Team who finished as Conference Finalists.

As the parade came to an end, the crowd began heading for the North Pole where Santa and Mrs. Claus were accepting toy requests from the kids and giving them candy. Crafts and food decorating kept children of all ages entertained inside Santa’s Workshop.

There was plenty of food during the festival as well. Turkey legs, fried catfish, bar-b-que wings, fajitas, tacos, brisket, gumbo and cotton candy were just a few of the menu items adding to the flavor of the festival.

The City of Italy wishes to thank everyone who helped ensure the success of this year’s parade and festival, including the crews who worked the night before sectioning off Main Street and then again with the final clean-up.

Thank you everyone, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!