City gearing up for Fall-o-Ween festival

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The City of Copperas Cove’s tourism department is gearing up for the 2nd annual Fall-o-Ween Festival in Copperas Cove City Park on Saturday, October 21 from 4-8 p.m. 
Admission to the festival is $5 per carload. 
A free costume contest will be held, with registration taking place from 5-5:45 p.m. and the contest starting at 6 p.m. at Fester’s House near the duck pond. 
This year, an arts and crafts vendor marketplace is part of the festival, along with a pumpkin patch with pumpkins available for purchase. 
Those who attend the festival will have the chance to stop by candy booths for trick-or-treating. As of last Friday, those booths number 28, said Heather Bryan, the city’s tourism coordinator. The booths are run by local businesses, groups, and organizations.
“We are still accepting candy booth applications,” said Bryan. “We ask that participants prepare for around 3,000 children.” 
Applications for a candy booth are available through the Parks & Recreation office at the civic center or online.
The festival is bringing back a number of children’s activities from last year, with the hay maze, super slide and hayride each costing $1. The bounce house will cost 50 cents for one minute, and the petting zoo and pony rides $5 each. 
Musical entertainment is part of the lineup for the Fall-o-Ween Festival, with Temple-area singer and musician Lily Milford opening for headliner, Belton area singer and musician Will Janke.
The city has recruited a number of food trucks to be present at the park and offer concessions. So far, the food truck lineup includes Lowe’s Legs, Snofellas, Mt. Hiram Lodge, Little J Tacos, and E&J Mobile.
The “Safe Trick or Treat” was held for a number of years in downtown Copperas Cove, but was moved to City Park and eventually Ogletree Gap Park due to growing attendance numbers. 
In 2016, the festival was renamed and expanded with the use of city hotel occupancy tax funding in an effort to draw more visitors to the community. 
Volunteers and sponsors are also welcomed to help with the festival. Those interested should call Heather Bryan at (254) 542-2719 or email hbryan@copperascovetx.gov.