City Float takes first place in Gatesville Christmas parade

The new City of Copperas Cove float continues to rack up top honors in holiday parades as the Five Hills royalty use it as a mobile vehicle to promote tourism for the “City built for family living.”
Participating in a myriad of parades in several cities in December, the float was awarded first place in the Gatesville Christmas parade on Saturday. The theme of the parade was Santa’s Workshop and the Five Hills royalty decorated the float and dressed to the theme.  The military command team from North Fort Hood in Gatesville served as judges for the parade and commented about the amount of work put into the detail of the decorations based on the theme. 
Coryell County Emergency Manager Bob Harrell said having Copperas Cove present in the Gatesville parade was important for county unity.
“There has been a divide around the Pidcoke area and it is terrific to see Copperas Cove participate in the Gatesville parade,” Harrell said. “Having Copperas Cove in Gatesville helps bind the two communities together.
“The pageant is also an excellent representative of not just Copperas Cove but also our county because it promotes education with its scholarship program and community service. It promises a future for not just these young womaen that are its titleholders but the many, many people whose lives they positively impact.”
The royalty also participated in the Killeen Christmas Parade and as of press time, the winners had not yet been announced.
The titleholders also got out their glue sticks and got busy making Christmas ornaments for nursing home residents at Candy Outfitters, one of the pageant’s sponsors.  Candy Outfitters owner Jennifer White says the queens are always a welcome addition to any activity the store is hosting. 
“The royal family’s steadfast commitment to our events always brings a sweet sparkle,” White said.  
The Five Hills royalty also partnered with the Copperas Cove Moose organizations and Bearables for a second year to help host a holiday party for 100 Copperas Cove exceptional needs children.  The titleholders also volunteered to serve as celebrity judges at the inaugural Copperas Cove Holiday Cookie Contest sponsored by Sporty B. The event benefitted Copperas Cove Communities in Schools. 
In royal sightings this week, look for the city’s ambassadors to attend the library holiday party and ring bells for the Salvation Army from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Walmart on Saturday.