Company’s coming

In case you didn’t know, there is a major event set to occur on April 8, 2024, that will likely have a huge impact on Copperas Cove residents, businesses, and more. Unless it rains. But we won’t use the “R” word right now. 
No matter what we do (or don’t), Copperas Cove is in the path of totality for a solar eclipse that will make “landfall” in Mexico, cross Texas, and then head northeast. 
When it’s not raining in the month of April, we have some of the best spring weather for enjoying the outdoors. And, the center line of the solar eclipse’s totality is but a few miles west of Copperas Cove. Being on this line will draw visitors our way from across the country, if not the world, like bees to honey, like a moth to flame, you get the metaphor. Copperas Cove stands to be very crowded. 
We need to get ready for company!
I for one am excited that we could have tens of thousands of visitors to our community staying for at least three to five days, weather cooperating. Copperas Cove isn’t a hub of tourist activity like some parts of Central Texas, but you will find some of the friendliest people in the state. We’re used to newcomers thanks to our neighbors at the nearby Fort. I like to have visitors, but I like to be prepared before they come for a visit. 
Our community is now in the stages of setting a plan in place for what to do before, during, and after our visitors. We have a great setting. We have wide open spaces for temporary camping. Ogletree Gap Park has lots of primitive walking trails. We have local food trucks. We have local restaurants with a variety of cuisines from around the world, and those restaurants will be ready to serve hungry appetites coming from far away. We have a large supermarket in town that is known nationwide as a Texas icon. 
I foresee visitors converging on the parks, shopping in our stores, dining at our local restaurants, visiting local attractions and attending local events. The City of Copperas Cove’s Special Events had the right idea to move Spring Fest to the weekend prior to Eclipse Monday. When you have visitors coming, it helps to plan for things to do. We Texans like to eat, and we like to have fun. Let’s make sure we have plenty of fun for our visitors. 
But when you’re getting ready for visitors to come and stay for a few days, you need some not-exciting nitty-gritty things. Things like, ah, toilet paper, trash bags, extra paper plates and cups, and extra food. When you expect a crowd, you know there will be more to clean up, more mouths to feed. You plan to make meals for more people. 
We will need more of everything we usually need on a regular basis. We’re going to be busy, we’re going to have company. It will likely be crazy and possibly a hot mess here and there, but any time you have people involved, that can be part of the equation.
I’m already working on my music playlist for the big day. DJs – get ready for multiple requests of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and possibly “Here Comes the Sun.” 
I have a vision for how the big day can play out in our community. For my business, we will have all-hands-on deck to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event. We can’t wait to publish the stories and photos that will be captured for history’s sake. I would love to have my family around me as we watch in wonder and look at the skies.
But before we bask in the darkness as the moon swallows up the sun, we have a lot to do. I will make sure you are filled in on what’s coming soon. Company’s coming!