AUGUSTA — Memories and all-day festivities are planned, leading up to the 3rd annual White Christmas parade in Augusta, Saturday, Dec. 18.
Dante DiPaolo, widower of the late Rosemary Clooney, will be the grand marshal of this year’s parade.
DiPaolo, an internationally known dancer and actor has been an adopted son of Augusta through the Clooney family. He is often recognized when he visits his former vacation home, wearing what has become a trademark straw hat.
Clooney and DiPaolo once lived in the yellow brick home on Riverside Drive which now houses the Rosemary Clooney House Museum.
DiPaolo first met Clooney during the filming of “Here Come the Girls.”
They were romantically linked until he left the filming of “White Christmas” for his role as Matt in the movie “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.”
In 1973 they reunited and in 1997 the couple was married in Maysville. Clooney died in 2002.
In addition to shops being open throughout the day, activities will include a Christmas Journey tour of churches on board the Augusta Trolley, holiday blood drive, Gingerbread House and Elf contests at the firehall, Augusta Art Guild Holiday Art Show, chili cook-off, petting zoo, wine tasting at Baker-Bird Winery and live music.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Main Street; following the parade, Santa Claus will listen to all of the children’s wish lists and the Augusta Rotary will pass out free treat bags to all of the children.
The White Christmas parade is sponsored by the Augusta Rotary Club and the City of Augusta.
For more information visit, www.augustaky.com.
