Italy celebrates the holidays with its annual Christmas Parade and Festival

Image: Italy Fire Department lieutenant Brad Chambers, Veteran Navy Seal and parade grand marshall, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, city employee Rhonda Cockerham and City of Italy Mayor James Hobbs pose next to an Italy Fire Truck after Parrott received the key to the city from the Mayor.

Italy Fire Department lieutenant Brad Chambers, Veteran Navy Seal and parade grand marshall, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, city employee Rhonda Cockerham and City of Italy Mayor James Hobbs pose next to an Italy Fire Truck after Parrott received the key to the city from the Mayor. (Barry Byers)

Image: How much fun was this year’s parade and festival? This smile says it all.

How much fun was this year’s parade and festival? This smile says it all. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School band members Kyle Tindol, Eli Garcia, David De La Hoya, Amber Hooker and Madison Washington entertain festival goers.

Italy High School band members Kyle Tindol, Eli Garcia, David De La Hoya, Amber Hooker and Madison Washington entertain festival goers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here comes the Stafford Elementary Student Council!

Here comes the Stafford Elementary Student Council! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Stagecoach Cowboy Church provides a postcard-like image as their horse drawn wagon passes Italy City Hall.

The Stagecoach Cowboy Church provides a postcard-like image as their horse drawn wagon passes Italy City Hall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ray Don Mitchell of The Uptown Cafe greets an Indian on the parade trail.

Ray Don Mitchell of The Uptown Cafe greets an Indian on the parade trail. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Fire Department Lieutenant Brad Chambers escorts Gladiator mascot Noeli Garcia and cheerleaders Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers and Jessica Garcia.

Italy Fire Department Lieutenant Brad Chambers escorts Gladiator mascot Noeli Garcia and cheerleaders Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers and Jessica Garcia. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brittany steps out of her downtown flat to check out the parade.

Brittany steps out of her downtown flat to check out the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Forreston Fire Department joins in the fun.

The Forreston Fire Department joins in the fun. (Barry Byers)

Image: Adorable!

Adorable! (Barry Byers)

Image: Mrs. Claus gets help from her favorite elf with the Reeves Family going all out for the holidays.

Mrs. Claus gets help from her favorite elf with the Reeves Family going all out for the holidays. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thanks to the Ellis County Sheriff Explorers, the Grinch did not steal Christmas.

Thanks to the Ellis County Sheriff Explorers, the Grinch did not steal Christmas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka Donald and Karen Brummett, conclude the parade from the back of an Italy fire truck.

Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka Donald and Karen Brummett, conclude the parade from the back of an Italy fire truck. (Barry Byers)

Image: There he is! Santa waves to kiddos.

There he is! Santa waves to kiddos. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers and his wife Kay are heading inside The Uptown Cafe for a warm meal.

Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers and his wife Kay are heading inside The Uptown Cafe for a warm meal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aliyah Turner shows her Christmas spirit with her Rudolph hat while dining inside The Uptown Cafe.

Aliyah Turner shows her Christmas spirit with her Rudolph hat while dining inside The Uptown Cafe. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS cheerleader Sydney Weeks is full of school and Christmas spirit.

Italy HS cheerleader Sydney Weeks is full of school and Christmas spirit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Roy, Michele and Virginia Stephens enjoyed the parade and then their meal inside The Uptown Cafe.

Roy, Michele and Virginia Stephens enjoyed the parade and then their meal inside The Uptown Cafe. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Christmas tree under the downtown pavilion roof served as a beacon to the festival crowd.

The Christmas tree under the downtown pavilion roof served as a beacon to the festival crowd. (Barry Byers)

Image: McKenzie Goodwin tells Santa and Mrs. Claus what she truly wants for Christmas.

McKenzie Goodwin tells Santa and Mrs. Claus what she truly wants for Christmas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nancy Hinojosa with Tri-County Appliance, LLC Heating & Air Conditioning-Italy poses with daughter Chelsea Beets in front of her crafts booth inside the Italy Community Center.

Nancy Hinojosa with Tri-County Appliance, LLC Heating & Air Conditioning-Italy poses with daughter Chelsea Beets in front of her crafts booth inside the Italy Community Center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Grandkids of Meg Lyons, Noah and Jonah along with family friend, take a break in the action.

Grandkids of Meg Lyons, Noah and Jonah along with family friend, take a break in the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Photographer Anne Sutherland gives her hubby, Tommy Sutherland, a Christmas kiss.

Photographer Anne Sutherland gives her hubby, Tommy Sutherland, a Christmas kiss. (Barry Byers)

Image: First, Santa, let’s clear up a couple of miscues since last Christmas…

First, Santa, let’s clear up a couple of miscues since last Christmas… (Barry Byers)

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