Joy and Warmth were Brought to Perry Thanks to the Towns Holiday Lighted Parade [Video]

PERRY, Iowa (KCCI) -On Friday night, people lined Perry’s streets for the town’s annual lighted parade. The parade gives the community joy as Perry begins the holiday season.

According to Mayor Kirk Cavanaugh, this year’s parade is special after the difficult year featuring a deadly school shooting and the Tyson pork plant closing. “We’re recovering from a couple of bad incidents earlier in the year,” Cavanaugh said. “It’s just really good to see people back doing things they would normally do and being happy and joyous.”

This year’s parade featured Perry Elks Lodge No. 407′s float. The lodge’s public relations manager, Lisa Widick, said that the parade is special for the group.

“Everyone’s so happy,” Widick said. “It’s the day after Thanksgiving, a kickoff for Christmas and it’s just so fun, it makes me want to cry.”

People watched the parade despite below freezing temperatures, so that their spirits could be warmed …