The little town that said they should – should have a Merry Christmas that is!

ITALY – Thirty-two-year Italy resident Dean Little said there was no way he was going to let COVID-19 mess up Christmas this year. 

Not like it has messed up every holiday since March when the pandemic began.

So instead of talking about it, Little went to work on doing something about it.

When the Italy city council voted “no” on the city’s annual holiday event this year, Little said, “no way.”

“The year 2020 has been a bad year for all of us,” Little explained. 

“Some businesses live off their sales, and they have not been able to do anything this year. 

“So, when the city council said no event – I was agitated.” 

Last Saturday, the City of Italy did have a holiday event after all – not city related though. With about 25 vendors, 30 parade entries and a nice trickle of attendees counted in the hundreds throughout the day, the Italy holiday celebration was a success.

Italy city council member Raymond Mosley said, “The mayor had the issue of the Christmas festival on the agenda back in September or October. He asked the council what we thought about it, whether or not to have it.”

Mosley said he spoke up first and said, “Let’s plan for it and if things get worse, we can cancel if needed.” 

The city staff however spoke up according to Mosley and said they were against having the 2020 Christmas event in the city because they did not believe anyone would attend. 

Mosley and fellow councilmember Luin McConnell were the only two who voted to go ahead and give the folks in Italy a good Christmas – even with the pandemic.

Even so, the event was canceled. 

That was when Little stepped up and said he would plan the event himself. 

From there, Little and Mosley formed a committee and put the festival and lighted parade together in quick time.

“This was Italy’s first lighted parade,” Mosley said. 

“The parade has always been in the morning. Dean contacted several people and put each person in charge of certain activities.”

The two men also took donations for expenses. Mosley said they didn’t even end up having to spend the $565 that was donated.

“Instead,” Mosley explained, “we were able to put that money toward ‘Shop with A Hero,’ a local charity run by the Italy Fire and Police Departments.”

The charity raises money and buy gifts for needy kids in town. 

Even more to the point, the event meant the residents of Italy did get to have their holiday event after all. 

Of course – with the proper social distancing adhered to by both the vendors and those in attendance. And of course – masks were recommended.

“We wanted everyone to get together safely, and they did,” Little concluded.