Italy’s Christmas Festival and Parade highlights the holidays

Image: James Hobbs, representing Hobbs Feed Store of Italy, shares a four-wheeler with City of Italy employee Ronda Cockerham while participating in Italy’s 2012 Christmas Festival and Parade.

James Hobbs, representing Hobbs Feed Store of Italy, shares a four-wheeler with City of Italy employee Ronda Cockerham while participating in Italy’s 2012 Christmas Festival and Parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The new pavilion features two romanesque archways at its entrance, spaces for vendor booths and personalized brick placeholders along its pony walls with Italy City Hall continuing to accept custom brick orders to be added to the walls.

The new pavilion features two romanesque archways at its entrance, spaces for vendor booths and personalized brick placeholders along its pony walls with Italy City Hall continuing to accept custom brick orders to be added to the walls. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelli and Daniel Ballard, with two of their sons Wyatt and Bryce Ballard, take in the goings on inside the pavilion which is located across from Italy City Hall.

Kelli and Daniel Ballard, with two of their sons Wyatt and Bryce Ballard, take in the goings on inside the pavilion which is located across from Italy City Hall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bob Mansell, of Mansell’s Grocery in Italy, cruised in style down the parade route.

Bob Mansell, of Mansell’s Grocery in Italy, cruised in style down the parade route. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jerry Glenn and Chad Padilla cater to the crowd while on horseback.

Jerry Glenn and Chad Padilla cater to the crowd while on horseback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brothers Russell and Wesley Helms sport matching four-wheelers while parents Keith and Peggy Helms follow in a Helms Garage and Wrecker service tow truck.

Brothers Russell and Wesley Helms sport matching four-wheelers while parents Keith and Peggy Helms follow in a Helms Garage and Wrecker service tow truck. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Police Officer Shawn Martin represents the I.P.D. during the parade.

Italy Police Officer Shawn Martin represents the I.P.D. during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Stafford Elementary Choir whistles past as Destiny Harris tosses candy to parade watchers.

The Stafford Elementary Choir whistles past as Destiny Harris tosses candy to parade watchers. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Stafford Choir tosses candy from their float while passing in front of Italy City Hall.

The Stafford Choir tosses candy from their float while passing in front of Italy City Hall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trinity Mission of Italy, L.P. holds up their banner while being escorted by a puppy on a leash.

Trinity Mission of Italy, L.P. holds up their banner while being escorted by a puppy on a leash. (Barry Byers)

Image: Vendor booths inside and outside the pavilion served everything from tamales to popcorn.

Vendor booths inside and outside the pavilion served everything from tamales to popcorn. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Police Chief Diron Hill is backed by marching soldiers.

Italy Police Chief Diron Hill is backed by marching soldiers. (Barry Byers)

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(Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiators Justin Robbins, Hayden Woods, Darol Mayberry, Levi McBride and Ryheem Walker are chauffeured by Italy High School principal Lee Joffre.

Italy Gladiators Justin Robbins, Hayden Woods, Darol Mayberry, Levi McBride and Ryheem Walker are chauffeured by Italy High School principal Lee Joffre. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiators Ryan Connor, Kyle Fortenberry, Zackery Boykin, Cody Boyd, Clayton Miller and Cody Medrano receive applause form the parade watchers.

Italy Gladiators Ryan Connor, Kyle Fortenberry, Zackery Boykin, Cody Boyd, Clayton Miller and Cody Medrano receive applause form the parade watchers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tailgating Gladiators Shad Newman, Zain Byers and Kevin Roldan enjoy the parade along with teammates Justin Robbins, Hayden Woods, Darol Mayberry, Levi McBride, Ryheem Walker, Hunter Merimon, Jalarnce Lewis and Reid Jacinto.

Tailgating Gladiators Shad Newman, Zain Byers and Kevin Roldan enjoy the parade along with teammates Justin Robbins, Hayden Woods, Darol Mayberry, Levi McBride, Ryheem Walker, Hunter Merimon, Jalarnce Lewis and Reid Jacinto. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiators Eric Carson and Marvin Cox enjoy supportive cheers from the crowd.

Italy Gladiators Eric Carson and Marvin Cox enjoy supportive cheers from the crowd. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stephen Janek steers a John Deer tractor while pulling a load of Stafford Student Council members.

Stephen Janek steers a John Deer tractor while pulling a load of Stafford Student Council members. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Avalon High School Cheerleaders are flying high during the parade on the back of an Avalon fire truck.

The Avalon High School Cheerleaders are flying high during the parade on the back of an Avalon fire truck. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Avalon Fire Department transports Avalon’s Junior High/JV cheerleaders along the parade route.

The Avalon Fire Department transports Avalon’s Junior High/JV cheerleaders along the parade route. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Avalon Pee-Wee Cheerleaders are treated to a horse and wagon ride during the parade.

The Avalon Pee-Wee Cheerleaders are treated to a horse and wagon ride during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy firefighter Brad Chambers makes some noise to help clear the way for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Italy firefighter Brad Chambers makes some noise to help clear the way for Mr. and Mrs. Claus. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy firefighters Jackie Cate and driver Michael Chambers serve as reindeer for Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with Donald and Karen Brummett in costume.

Italy firefighters Jackie Cate and driver Michael Chambers serve as reindeer for Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with Donald and Karen Brummett in costume. (Barry Byers)

Image: Musical entertainment was provided during Italy’s Christmas Festival by the Smoke-N-Mirrors Band.

Musical entertainment was provided during Italy’s Christmas Festival by the Smoke-N-Mirrors Band. (Barry Byers)

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