The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) Sports Carnival ran from Thursday, May 12 thru Sunday, May 15 behind the Starship Pegasus dome in Italy. The event was held to raise funds for sports equipment for the Italy Youth Athletic Association.

Triple T Amusements of Waxahachie presented the carnival portion of the four day event which featured: The Scrambler, the Octopus, a merry-go-round, a ferris wheel, a glass maze and slide inside Tinsel Town, an elephant ride, a dragon roller coaster and a couple of others that were guaranteed to make you dizzy.

There were also plenty of games including: a duck game, darts, basketball shoots, ring toss, target shooting and many more.

DeLana Pierre, an independent operator with Page Food Services out of Hughes Springs, Texas, kept carnival goers filled with all the cotton candy and candy apples they could eat! Gary Wood, the president of the IYAA, served brisket sandwiches and turkey legs.

On Friday night, guests were treated to an amazing on stage performance by the “Justin Guthrie Band.” Band members included: Justin Guthrie, James Wilson, Steven Galvan and Shedric Walker on the drums.

On Saturday, Toney Oke out of Cleburne, hosted karaoke allowing locals to show their stuff and sing the night away. The IYAA Sports Carnival Princess, Kevin Roldan, and the queen, Zain Byers, are ceremoniously crowned by event coordinator, Micki Bland. Roldan and Byers are freshman student athletes at Italy High School and were formerly teammates in the IYAA as well. Both beauties received flowers and footballs as well.

Sunday proved to be one last chance for everyone to enjoy the festivities and a visit from Alvarado’s clown named, “Chuckles,” entertained the folks with magic tricks and and a few toots of his horn.

Once again, the IYAA would like to thank the volunteers along with our following carnival sponsors:

• Chicken Express of Waxahachie
• Wally’s Party Store
• Justin Guthrie and the Justin Guthrie Band
• Toney Oke
• Dr. Brett Thacker of Waxahachie
• Prescription Shop of Italy
• Edward Jones/Paul Box of Waxahachie
• Family First Hospice of Ennis
• Integra Home Health of Waxahachie
• Encompass Home Health of Ennis
• Elf Shoe Repair of Waxahachie
• Haight Management Services, LLC
• Italy Police Department
• City of Italy
• Italy High School – NHS
• Hill’s Towing of Waxahachie
• KBEC Radio of Waxahachie
• Cotton Patch
• Blooms & More of Waxahachie
• Office Depot of Waxahachie
• Hobbs Feed & Supply of Italy
• Helms Garage of Italy
• Bling-N-Bloom’s of Italy
• Harris Paint & Body Shop of Italy
• Bland Construction of Italy
• Wood Paint & Body of Italy
• Chill Zone of Italy
• O.K. Lumber
• Texas Best
• Italy Neotribune, Inc.
• Triple T Amusements

The IYAA would like to give a special thanks to Joe McNeer, Connie Voyer, Kristin McNeely, Andrew Voyer and Andy Gee of S.P.A.C.E (Starship Pegasus Associates Communities Enterprises) who graciously allowed the IYAA use of their land to host the carnival.

Last, but not least, the IYAA especially thanks, Micki Howard Bland, whose efforts made the entire event possible.