Selfie World a new addition to 2022 Rabbit Fest

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

Rabbit Fest first had its start in Copperas Cove in 1981, and over the next 40-plus years, the festival has seen its changes. 
For this year’s festival, set for May 19-22, more changes will come. One new trend being brought to the festival this year is “Selfie World,” to be held in the Copperas Cove Civic Center. 
A “Selfie World” typically is an entertainment venue which provides settings for patrons to enjoy the chance to take selfies in fun, over-the-top, embellished settings, which may or may not be based on real life. 
Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce President Silvia Spires along with her staff, Membership Director Monica Transue, and Tourism, Communication & Event Coordinator K’Dajah Williams gathered at the Copperas Cove Public Library’s meeting room on Saturday, when they worked to build some of the props that will become part of Selfie World. 
Large, papier mache carrots came to life, which will be installed as part of a carrot patch in keeping with the Rabbit Fest theme. Volunteers also worked on Saturday to build a three-foot-tall doll’s head and body, which will be installed in a “Squid Games” room. 
Still others worked on a four-foot-tall French fry box, so festival-goers can become part of a box of French fries. 
Spires said other theme rooms in Selfie World will include a Disco Room, a Balloon Room, a Flowers Room, a room where everything in it is covered in newspaper, and more. 
The installation of approximately 10-15 selfie rooms will be set up inside the Copperas Cove Civic Center. 
“For five dollars, people will have 30 minutes in which to go through the rooms at Selfie World and take all the pictures they want,” Spires said. 
In addition to Selfie World, Spires said the chamber has also prepared filters with the Rabbit Fest theme that festival-goers can use on Snapchat and Instagram.
Rabbit Fest begins on Thursday, May 19, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. 
Admission is $5 per carload daily, with a $15 pass available for the weekend. Admission at the walk-in gates is $1 per person. Walk-in gates are located at the park entrance (near vendor parking) and at the park gates located at the end of Fairbanks Street.
Gates open Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 8 a.m., and Sunday at 10 a.m. with entertainment daily, along with food, wine, and beer vendors, arts and craft vendors, and more. 
This year, Crabtree Amusements returns with its carnival and rides. Wristbands are $30 on Thursday, and $35 Friday-Sunday. Wristbands can be purchased in advance at www.crabtreeamusements.net.