The 2nd Annual Italy Christmas Parade and Festival

Image: The Italy Christmas Parade and Festival brings community closer — The 2nd Annual Italy Christmas Parade and Festival was an opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to share in the Holiday spirit.

The Italy Christmas Parade and Festival brings community closer — The 2nd Annual Italy Christmas Parade and Festival was an opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to share in the Holiday spirit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here they come! — Italy Police Chief C.V. Johns escorts the Christmas parade into downtown Italy. There were horses and a goat, fire engines and floats and Mr. and Mrs. Claus who brought Christmas cheer to all.

Here they come! — Italy Police Chief C.V. Johns escorts the Christmas parade into downtown Italy. There were horses and a goat, fire engines and floats and Mr. and Mrs. Claus who brought Christmas cheer to all. (Barry Byers)

Image: Back in the saddle — Reminiscent of last years parade, beautiful horses lead the parade down Main Street in Italy.

Back in the saddle — Reminiscent of last years parade, beautiful horses lead the parade down Main Street in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Superbowl Champs! — Garret Wood, with a little help from his father Coach Gary Wood, drove the undefeated and unscored-on Superbowl Champions, IYAA C-Team Gladiators, thru downtown Italy during the parade.

Superbowl Champs! — Garret Wood, with a little help from his father Coach Gary Wood, drove the undefeated and unscored-on Superbowl Champions, IYAA C-Team Gladiators, thru downtown Italy during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Superbowl Champs! — The IYAA B-Team Gladiators Superbowl Champions stand undefeated as they float thru the parade.

Superbowl Champs! — The IYAA B-Team Gladiators Superbowl Champions stand undefeated as they float thru the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mommy, It’s Santa! — Santa and Mrs. Claus get a lift from Sal and the Italy volunteer Fire Department as they pass in front of Italy City Hall.

Mommy, It’s Santa! — Santa and Mrs. Claus get a lift from Sal and the Italy volunteer Fire Department as they pass in front of Italy City Hall. (Barry Byers)

Image: A reason for the season — First Baptist Church of Italy joins in the parade.

A reason for the season — First Baptist Church of Italy joins in the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trinity Mission — Trinity Mission of Italy, L.L.C. clowns around during the parade.

Trinity Mission — Trinity Mission of Italy, L.L.C. clowns around during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mrs. Claus and Santa — The Claus Family prepares to roll into downtown Italy to spread Holiday cheer to all.

Mrs. Claus and Santa — The Claus Family prepares to roll into downtown Italy to spread Holiday cheer to all. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mr. Microphone — Bryant Cockran brought excitement and enthusiasm to the Christmas parade as he introduced each float individually.

Mr. Microphone — Bryant Cockran brought excitement and enthusiasm to the Christmas parade as he introduced each float individually. (Barry Byers)

Image: King and Queen — Homecoming Queen Drew Windham and Homecoming King Oscar Gonzalez wave at the crowd from a red convertible driven by Ann Hyles.

King and Queen — Homecoming Queen Drew Windham and Homecoming King Oscar Gonzalez wave at the crowd from a red convertible driven by Ann Hyles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Helms gives the O.K. — Keith Helms of Helms Garage and his wife Margaret Helms towed the Gladiator Regiment Band.

Helms gives the O.K. — Keith Helms of Helms Garage and his wife Margaret Helms towed the Gladiator Regiment Band. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Band — Usually charged with rousing school spirit, the Gladiator Regiment Band kept Christmas spirits up on Saturday.

Gladiator Band — Usually charged with rousing school spirit, the Gladiator Regiment Band kept Christmas spirits up on Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Central Baptist Church — Central Baptist Church of Italy rolls through town while reenacting the nativity scene.

Central Baptist Church — Central Baptist Church of Italy rolls through town while reenacting the nativity scene. (Barry Byers)

Image: Is Santa real? — You can bank on it as the Citizens National Bank float passes by Italy City Hall.

Is Santa real? — You can bank on it as the Citizens National Bank float passes by Italy City Hall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mt. Zion AME Church — Mt. Zion AME Church helps spread Holiday cheer during the parade.

Mt. Zion AME Church — Mt. Zion AME Church helps spread Holiday cheer during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The IYAA A-Team — The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) A-Team (5th & 6th Grades), helped the IYAA make history in 2009 as all three IYAA football teams and their cheerleaders qualified for the playoffs.

The IYAA A-Team — The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) A-Team (5th & 6th Grades), helped the IYAA make history in 2009 as all three IYAA football teams and their cheerleaders qualified for the playoffs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Camped out — The Royal Ambassadors of the Central Baptist Church wave their flag proudly during the parade.

Camped out — The Royal Ambassadors of the Central Baptist Church wave their flag proudly during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Mott Family — Now that’s a float as the Mott Family wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

The Mott Family — Now that’s a float as the Mott Family wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hobbs Feed & Supply — James Hobbs rolls his old Chevrelet pick-up down Main Street during the Italy Christmas parade.

Hobbs Feed & Supply — James Hobbs rolls his old Chevrelet pick-up down Main Street during the Italy Christmas parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy FFA — These Future Farmers of America escort a goat that doubled as their float.

Italy FFA — These Future Farmers of America escort a goat that doubled as their float. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bobby and Lavonne — Bobby and Lavonne Brock decided to churn out some Cotton Candy for the Italy Chistmas Festival. Yum!

Bobby and Lavonne — Bobby and Lavonne Brock decided to churn out some Cotton Candy for the Italy Chistmas Festival. Yum! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Spanish Club — The Italy Christmas Parade and Festival had several vendor booths, pictures with Santa, crafts for the kids, candy and cotton candy, good food, horses, a dog with antlers, one goat, a toy gun with a cartridge and a Christmas tree.

The Spanish Club — The Italy Christmas Parade and Festival had several vendor booths, pictures with Santa, crafts for the kids, candy and cotton candy, good food, horses, a dog with antlers, one goat, a toy gun with a cartridge and a Christmas tree. (Barry Byers)

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