Rabbit Fest
Copperas Cove, Texas

When: Held annually on the third weekend in May [check for this year's dates]

Where: Copperas Cove City Park in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Much like the bunnies honored at this festival, attendance has multiplied since the first Rabbit Fest in 1980, and today well over 100,000 citizens of Copperas Cove and the surrounding areas gather to enjoy four days of old-fashioned family fun.

Events: Enjoy the "hare"-raising excitement of the Octopus, Chair-O-Planes, the ferris wheel and other carnival rides at the Midway, provided by Crabtree Amusements, the largest carnival operation in the state.

"I'm late, I'm late-- for a very important date." Like the White Rabbit in Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland, joggers must be quick like a bunny in order to win the annual Jackrabbit Run 4 Hope, a 5K and 10K race with a trail that winds through the Ogletree Gap residential area.

Sports fans should hop to Copperas Cove City Park a week before Rabbit Fest to cheer on the teams in the annual Rabbit Fest Men's Softball Tournament.

If the savory smells that waft in the air from the BBQ Cook-Off leave you hankering for festival food, nibble on a corn dog, pork wrap or funnel cake purchased from one of the 23 food vendors.

Children's Activities: Little animal lovers can snuggle bunnies at a petting pen and root have their picture taken with a new floppy-eared friend at a photo booth. Kids can also root for their favorite furry participant in a rabbit race or a best dressed-bunny contest.

For more information:

• visit www.rabbitfest.com