“Frozen” Christmas parade to take place in Copperas Cove, set for Dec. 5

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

With the cancelation of the Copperas Cove Veterans Day Parade by VFW Post 8577, some Covites may wonder about the status of the Copperas Cove Christmas parade, usually held the first Saturday of December. 

This year, the annual Christmas parade in Copperas Cove will take place, but in a different format, that of a “frozen” or “reverse” parade. 

Held in conjunction with the 26th annual Krist Kindl Markt, the parade will be set up at Copperas Cove City Park on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce President Alicia Menard said that the change is due to COVID-19, and that there are 50 spaces available for parade entrants. 

“It will route throughout the entire city park. Viewers will enter the park at the main entrance on Avenue B by the Civic Center, then drive along the route through the park and exit at the first entrance by the ballfields. The event will not be open to pedestrian traffic. 

“It’s a nice little route that we’re doing. Once we laid everything out, it looked like 50 spaces would be the best number,” said Menard. 

The units will remain stationary as spectators drive through the route to observe, and it will be like a free drive-through light display, which allows for social distancing spacing between parade entries and no direct contact with the public.

There will be one official Santa – at the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce’s parade display. 

Among the details for entries are a minimum of 500 lights per entry and reflect a holiday theme. No electricity will be provided, with battery-operated lights or generators encouraged. 

Menard said that this year, there is no specific theme for floats or entries. 

The parade will be “open” for two hours, and entries will be judged, with the following awards to be given, including Best Overall, Best Use of Lights, Most Creative, Most Humorous (LOL Award), and Best Use of Space. 

Entry categories include band, performing group, decorated vehicle, float, tent, or vehicle and trailer, with a maximum of 40 feet per entry. 

The deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce website or at the chamber office, located at 204 E. Robertson Ave. in the case of inclement weather, the parade would be canceled and not rescheduled.