46th annual Rabbit Fest starts Thursday

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By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS

Cove Leader-Press


 

Rabbit Fest, an annual event held by the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Bureau, kicks off on Thursday, May 14 and goes through Sunday, May 17 at Copperas Cove City Park.

Daily and weekend passes for parking and walk-in are available in advance online at https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/RabbitFest2026/Register.

Weekend passes are $25 per carload, day passes are $10 per carload, walk-in tickets for the weekend are $10, and walk-in tickets for the day are $5, with a fee added to each online ticket. Passes are available at the gates, with cash and card accepted.

The weekend will feature a variety of vendors, to include market and food vendors.

A fireworks show is set for Saturday at 9:15 p.m.

Live entertainment this year will make up the Rabbit Fest Music Series. All concerts are free with admission.

The headliner is David Lewis, who will take the stage Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Lewis hails from Bellville, Texas and has performed with artists like Mark Chestnutt and Diamond Rio.

The Rabbit Fest Music series begins Thursday at 7 p.m. with Members Only, an 80s tribute band that stole the show at last fall’s National Night Out Kickoff Party in downtown Copperas Cove.

Then on Friday, Terry Thomas and All U Need take the stage at 7 p.m., delivering their brand of R&B, funk, gospel, and the blues.

The music starts again on Saturday at 1 p.m. with Curt & Hannah, a Texas country duo that had their start at “Treble Soul” on Season 18 of American Idol.

At 4 p.m., Austin-based Junction will take the stage, returning with classic country, along with 80’s and 90’s hits. They previously performed at Krist Kindl Markt.

A Saturday highlight is the Rabbit Fest Car Show from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For registration information, contact Daniel Furmage at 254-238-2695. There will be a total of 40 trophies awarded along with specialty awards.

Sunday will be the day for rabbits, with a lineup of rabbit shows and demonstrations at Fester’s Stage, with shows at 10 p.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.

The Carnival will be returning, with wristbands $27 on Thursday and $37 Friday through Sunday.


 

Carnival Hours:

Thursday: 5-10 p.m.

Friday: 5–11 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


 

Festival Hours:

Thursday: 5-10 p.m.

Friday: 5-11 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.