Previous years the Holiday Tree Lighting took place at town center, now it is featured at Andrew Brown Park East with a 65-foot tree.

“This is kind of a new form with [Andrew] Brown Park [East]; it’s a gorgeous setting and we’ve got thousands of people here. I couldn’t be happier,” Coppell Mayor Wes Mays said.

The City of Coppell hosted its annual Lighted Parade on Samuel Boulevard and Tree Lighting Ceremony at Andrew Brown Park East on Saturday night. after the event was cancelled the previous year due to COVID-19.

“We were very sorry to cancel the event last year, but we did it for the health and safety of our citizens,” Mays said. “I’m excited to see everybody out and enjoying themselves this year.”

The Lighted Parade brought decorated floats from local groups and businesses such as Girl Scouts, Coppell Fire Department, Mobility Credit Union. The parade included the Coppell Police Department dressed as Buddy from Elf, as they wished children through the parade. The three “Best Decorated” floats chosen Saturday were third place for Coppell Girls’ Softball, second with SteadFast Fitness and Performance and first place was given to Mustang Marimba. Coppell High School Band led the parade with a marching beat through the event with Lariettes following

“[The parade] was really fun. I haven’t done a Christmas parade since freshman year, so it was exciting to put the uniform back on,” senior Lariettes lieutenant Chloe Landefeld said.

After the parade concluded the Holiday Tree Lighting around 7 p.m. with the 65-foot tree and a countdown from Mays. The tree lighting was May’s first as mayor.

“It’s going to be our future. And I expect this to get bigger and bigger every year,” Mays said.

Andrew Brown East was filled with festive events for the Coppell community; holiday cartoons, such as “Shrek the Halls,” train rides, photos with Santa and magic shows. Dow Sanders was hired to do two magic shows at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. to entertain children. The show engaged the audience as he called out a young girl to make a snowman.

“I handed the box and I showed her that inside the box was snow and I got her to say, I wish for a snowman,” Sanders said. “We kept doing it over and over and got everybody [a] chance. A snowman appeared in a different box and they were screaming and jumping up and down”.

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