Recently, Coppell’s National Night Out program was voted 2011′s number one program in the nation in the population category of 15,000-49,999. NNO has voted Coppell number one in the nation in three out of the last six years, and this will be the sixth year in a row that Coppell has held the number one spot in Texas.

National Night Out is a program that brings communities together through block parties and other community events to reduce crime and strengthen the community as a whole.

As the holiday season approaches, Coppell will once again perform their annual Holiday Parade of Lights this Saturday. It is sure to be a fun-filled event with dancing, music and of course Santa Claus.

The parade will begin at 6:30 near St. Ann’s Church and will end at Town Center Plaza. Once the parade is completed, the lighting of the Christmas tree at Town Center will occur along with photo opportunities for children with Santa Claus.

Although everyone is very excited for the parade, there is a chance of it being cancelled, as there is high chance of rain. In case of inclement weather on Saturday, you can follow CityofCoppell on Twitter for updates or call 972-304-3542.

As December rolls in the city of Coppell is welcoming the holiday feel. Decorations are being put up, present shopping time has begun, Starbucks is offering holiday drinks and Christmas music is being played everywhere. This Saturday December 3 Coppell will be having its annual Holiday Parade and Plaza Lighting to really ring in the holiday season.

The Holiday Parade is a parade where citizens can send in an application for their own float and decorate it as they wish. All of the floats will be lit up with lights and the parade also features the CHS Marching Band, Lariettes, Silver Stars, and this year will also feature the 2011 5A volleyball state champions, the Coppell Cowgirls. The parade begins at Parkway and Samuel and travels westward to Town Center Blvd., just west of City Hall and will end at Town Center Plaza.

The parade ends at Town Center Plaza but there’s more fun to be had. There will be the annual tree and plaza lighting, musical performances, refreshments and a special appearance by Santa Claus at the Plaza.

For more information on these events click here.

Dozens of dazzling floats will take to the streets and people will flock to Town Center Plaza for other festivities on Saturday Dec. 3,  as Coppell officially kicks off the holiday season!

This year’s edition of the annual parade will feature 37 floats and will follow its usual route travelling west on Parkway Boulevard from its intersection with Samuel Road.

The theme of the parade has been announced to be “Hometown Holiday.” Citizens have been encouraged to enter homemade floats as part of this theme. Floats begin lining up at 3:00 p.m., and the parade itself begins at 6:30, after judges have analyzed the floats.

About 1,500 are anticipated to be in attendance for the parade, but as the Coppell High School Band marches down the street, other festivities will be kicking off at the plaza behind Town Center . These include an indoor Santa Claus photo booth, live Christmas music from the Cover Down Band, fresh food and the annual lighting of the Coppell’s Christmas tree.

Coppell’s annual holiday parade, and the fesitivites at Town Center, is quickly becoming a treasured tradition for citizens and their families. It is sure to be a good time, and who knows – you might even see Frosty The Snowman!

For students, the arrival of Nov. and Dec. ensures the soon to come fall and winter breaks. Countdowns are started and the excitement for the holidays build. However, the holiday season also brings the community holiday parade.

This year’s parade is Sat. Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Hometown Holiday!” and applications for float entries are now available.

There is no charge for entering; however, all organizations must complete a registration form by Mon. Nov. 21 and have a representative at the mandatory parade meeting on Mon. Nov. 28.

The holiday parade always promises festive, unique and lighted parade flats that will light the nighttime streets of Coppell. More information on float guidelines and restrictions can be found here.

This past weekend for Coppell was marked with everything Homecoming –the parade, the football game and, for students, the Homecoming dance, appropriately themed “Party in the U.S.A”.

While students were dancing Saturday night away at the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, they did not forget to remember the ninth year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Midway through the dance, the music stopped as Principal Hunt took over the mic to commemorate the tragedy. After Alanna Diggs, junior, and Kaci Carroll, sophomore, sang the National Anthem, students observed a moment of silence for remembrance.

9/11 –we shall never forget.

Frances Ruiz
Staff Writer
Video accredited to Kara McFarlane

Joyous songs boasting upbeat melodies, twinkling lights of every shape and size and participants full of Christmas cheer were found amongst the myriad of festivities at the 2009 Coppell Christmas Parade.

Holiday fun associated with the parade began Dec. 5 as community goers bundled up in warm clothes and braved the wintry cold to take part in the annual event. While the City of Coppell once again required each float to display holiday lights, new and distinct concepts were showcased in this year’s parade. Such concepts consisted of handing out glow sticks, outlining car windshields, bumpers and parade participants with Christmas lights and including the infamous, green Dr. Seuss character, the Grinch.

Senior Kaitlin Vanriper felt the parade was a great way to show Christmas spirit through a utilization of lights and decorations.

“I love that the parade is now in the dark because you can see all these really cool floats with different colored lights,” Vanriper said. “It’s interesting to see how the unique lighting decorations will be used.”

Bursting to the seams with friendly snowmen, animated reindeer and inflatable Santas, the parade contained an abundance of Christmas spirit and holiday cheer. Among the myriad of organizations taking part in the festivities were St. Ann Catholic Parish, Fellowship Church, the Coppell Coyotes baseball club and the Coppell Republican Club.

 While most organizations had children riding on the float wishing community-goers an enthusiastic “Merry Christmas” some decided to change it up by playing live music or solely showcasing creative light displays.

Senior Morgan Selph expressed great interest in the organizations taking part and the creative ways in which they represented their cause. 

“My favorite part was seeing the different companies, clubs and vendors,” Selph said. “It was really cool to see how they incorporated the holidays in their advertising.”   

While the parade is one of the many annual traditions and events within Coppell, it proves to be much more than an event planned by the city. It also serves as an outlet for growth and interaction amongst all members of the Coppell community as those participating, attending and coordinating the event established new friendships and experiences with others.

  By bringing people together, the Christmas parade enables those of all ages and interests to celebrate the upcoming winter holidays, as well as a sense of community.

Coppell resident Scott McFarlane thought the event was an excellent opportunity for personal enrichment. 

“The parade is possibly one of the best ways to bring people together in order to support something greater within the community,” McFarlane said. “It’s really an experience you don’t want to miss.”  

The 2009 Christmas Parade enabled members of Coppell to prepare for the upcoming holiday season, as well as experience a sense of togetherness for all who were involved and chose to watch the fun-filled event.

Original Video – More videos at TinyPic

The much anticipated Spirit of Coppell Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5 will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Samuel and follow down Parkway to Town Center Plaza where Coppellians will meet the lighting of Town Center.

This year’s parade theme is “wreaths and trees, ribbons and bows” so expect to see festively decorated floats and parade walkers who will be passing out glowing items and candy. The night is guaranteed to be brilliant and bright with each float required to have at least 200 lights. Before the parade, floats will be judged and first and second place winners will be selected. Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause will be atop last year’s first place winner’s float.

The celebration and lighting at Town Center is an annual tradition full of holiday cheer and jolly good fun and this year will include a snow area, performances, carolers, refreshments and a special appearance from Santa Clause. Festivities are to begin immediately after the parade.

All intersections along the route of the parade will be temporarily closed for safety and reopened as the parade passes. Parking is available at the Aquatic and Recreation Center as well as the north side of the Justice Center (click for directions).