This weekend features several holiday celebrations in Copperas Cove, Texas including the Downtown Christmas Bazaar and Krist Kindl Markt, the Christmas Parade, and the Heart of Texas Bowl. The Christmas Bazaar runs from December 5-7 and offers shopping, food, and entertainment like a gingerbread house contest and live music performances. On Saturday, the Copperas Cove Christmas Parade takes place along Avenue D at 3:30pm with the theme "White Christmas". Also on Saturday is the 14th annual Heart of Texas Bowl at Bulldawg Stadium featuring four top junior college football teams.

1. Holiday Celebrations This Weekend
By, Kaleh Sapp
The holiday season is officially upon us, and residents of Copperas Cove can
get into the spirit this weekend by attending a number of local events including the
Downtown Christmas Bazaar and Krist Kindl Markt, the Christmas Parade and the
Heart of Texas Bowl.
The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce will present the 20th annual
Downtown Christmas Bazaar and Krist Kindl Markt on Dec. 5th-7th. This weekend-
long event welcomes families and shoppers looking for gifts, food and fun for all
ages.
“It’s definitely a family environment with something for everyone,” said Liz
Sherman, Vice-President of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce.
93 vendors have signed up to participate in the Markt, offering a variety of
goods and tasty treats. Some of the food vendors include Sporty Dogg Gourmet
Hotdog Stand, Blondies Babycakes and Kettle CornUtopia. The Chamber of
Commerce is still accepting vendor applications until Friday.
“We have some great local vendors as well as vendors from Killeen,
Nolanville, Temple and Troy,” said Sherman. “Everything from kids toys, to women’s
fashions and a lot of Christmas gifts.”
Besides the shopping and food, the Downtown Bazaar will also provide
entertainment.
“For the first time ever, we are having a gingerbread house contest, and we
are hoping to get a lot of participation,” said Sherman.
Spectators can also enjoy performances from local choirs and schools. Friday
night will feature live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. from 20 year-old Rebecca Huck,
a German accordion player from Harker Heights, followed by Dalton Gray, a country
singer from Austin.
The Copperas Cove Christmas parade will be joining the festivities this
weekend on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The theme of the parade this year is “White
Christmas”. The parade route starts in the high school parking lot and travels down
Ave. D. Fort Hood Commanding General Sean MacFarland will serve as parade
marshal.
“It’s going to be a fun parade,” said Doreen Vasseur, Chamber of Commerce
ambassador. “It was icy last year, so this year we are hoping for nice weather.”
Participants in the parade include several floats, car and motorcycle clubs,
local churches, Relay For Life, the Red Hat Society, cheerleaders, Rabbit Fest royalty,
and the Copperettes, to name a few. There will even be an appearance by Mr. and
Mrs. Claus riding on a fire truck.
Sports fans can also unite this weekend for the 14th annual Heart of Texas
Bowl on Saturday at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove. The bowl features four
top-rated junior college teams, and is sponsored by C.H.A.M.P.S., Communities
Helping Americans Mature Progress and Succeed. Founded by Copperas Cove Head
Coach and Athletic Director Jack Welsh, the C.H.A.M.P.S. program aims to educate
students on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

2. “We have four great junior college teams competing this year,” said Vance
McAnally, Bulldawg Stadium coordinator.
Kick off for the HOT Bowl is at 11 a.m. for the first game between the Trinity
Valley Cardinals and the Coffeyville Red Ravens. The second game features Texas
A&M Commerce Lions against the East Central University Tigers and kicks off at 6
p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $20 for reserved at the gate on game
day, and free for C.H.A.M.P.S. members.
“We are also offering free tickets for our military if they pick up tickets [at
the Lion Field House] before Friday,” said McAnally,
There will be two banquets at the Civic Center on Friday night in support of
the HOT Bowl. The Junior College banquet starts at 5 p.m., followed by the NCAA
banquet at 7 p.m. Both banquets are open to the public, and admission is $20.
For more information on the events this weekend, contact the Copperas Cove
Chamber of Commerce at (254) 547-7571.