By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Downtown Copperas Cove will be the setting for the 31st annual Krist Kindl Markt, which runs Friday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 7.
The weekend will begin with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday at 6 p.m., in the parking lot across from the theater on Avenue D.
A highlight of the weekend will be the lighted Christmas parade on Saturday at 6 p.m. which starts on West Avenue D by Copperas Cove High School and heads east to the Cove Terrace Shopping Center parking lot.
All weekend long, there will be market vendors, food vendors, and businesses open downtown.
This may be the 31st annual Krist Kindl Markt, but the festival this year features something new – contests!
There are three new contests that are free to enter with limited entries available.
There will be an ugly sweater contest, a Christmas cookie eating contest, and a Santa beard decorating contest. Contest signups will be located under the awning at HIS Contractors by the stage.
The Ugly Sweater contest will be on Saturday, with signup starting at 12:30. Age groups include 0-9 years, 10-17, and 18 and up.
The Christmas Cookie eating contest starts at 3 p.m. in front of the main stage, with eight entry spots available. Signups start at 2:30 p.m.
More information is yet to come on the decorated beard contest, so those with beards should be prepared to decorate them for the season and be ready to compete.
And of course, the festival isn’t complete without a visit from Santa Claus, who will be hanging out in downtown Copperas Cove throughout the weekend, starting with Friday after 8 p.m., after the Christmas tree lighting. Then on Saturday, Santa will be onsite from noon until 5 p.m., then take a break for the lighted Christmas parade, and after the parade will stick around until 9 p.m. On Sunday, Santa will be downtown from 11:30 until 2:30 p.m.
The live entertainment lineup includes the band Whitestone on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Junction is made up of experienced local musicians who have played a variety of tunes from classic country to today, as well as 80s and 90s hits.
On Saturday afternoon, Brother Jon & The Rainbow Hearts take the stage at 4:00 p.m. The Copperas Cove band is a “cosmic folk revival” band that plays original tunes with a blend of folk, country, and soul.
After the Christmas parade, Whitestone hits the stage at 7 p.m. and plays a mix of country, classic rock, 80’s rock, and today’s hits. The band has performed throughout Central Texas, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Nebraska.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Richard Hegens brings his gospel and jazz flute talent to the stage. Hegens is a military veteran who has played his music around the world.
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