KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
September 27, 2023
By Natalie Cook Clark
Downtown Katy will be full of life next month (October 13-15, 2023) as the city gathers for the 43nd Katy Rice Festival. The historic event brings the community together each year to celebrate Katy’s history and to give back to the residents. The historic event has been known to bring in crowds from 45-50,000.
Photo credit: Katy Rice Festival
The Carnival Returns Plus More Fun
The event kicks off Friday, October 13, 2023 and goes through Sunday, October 15, 2023. There will be live entertainment, food and beer, arts and craft vendor shopping, and more Katy fun including the carnival.
This year the event will have over 180 unique vendor booths and they are extended in the KT Kids/Teen Zone and adding a Sports Zone for teens and young adults to enjoy.
“We are looking forward to sharing the Katy Rice Harvest Festival experience with all our citizens and their families,” says Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele. “There will be entertainment catering to all age groups including live music, craft beer, lots of wonderful food, arts, and craft vendors. The Carnival will be returning again this year thanks to the Lions Club.”
Friday evening will kick-off the event with “Oktoberfest” with live entertainment, beer garden, food trucks, and the carnival. Admission is free this evening.
Saturday and Sunday are full of fun for the entire family with over 180 vendors, the KT Dis/Teen Zone, an addition of a petting zoo and sports zone, more live entertainment, and much more.
All Proceeds Help Katy
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday will be $10 a person (children 12 and under are free.) Tickets will be sold at the door and cash only. 100% of the proceeds benefit the local Katy community through scholarships and donations.
“There’s something for everyone and you’re not going to want to miss celebrating this historic festival,” says Ashley Lipsman, Katy Tourism and Marketing Event Coordinator.
The week before the Katy Rice Festival will be the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade (October 7th.) The big event takes place in the Historic Town Square at 9:00 a.m. The parade route along with more festival details can be found on their website.
New Features This Year
New this year is the expanded Kids/Teen Zone, the petting zoo, and a Sports Zone.
“We’ve expanded the KT Zone again this year by adding a petting zoo in hopes to excite the younger kiddos and a Sports Zone to bring excitement for the Teens, and even young adults looking for something extra fun to do,” says Lipsman.
Returning this year is the Art Contest and Rice Cooking Contest and families loved last year.
The Art Contest will be on display in Katy City Hall from October 9th – 27th, and the Rice Cooking Contest is hosted by our Katy Fussell Senior Center and will be held on October 11th.
“We’ve added some Rice History back into the festival by highlighting some of the historic features the festival was all about 43 years ago,” says Lipsman.
Enjoy Renovations to Downtown Katy
Downtown Katy has experienced some renovations since last years event.
“The renovations to our Historic Town Square will be an exciting addition to the festival. Including new shade structures, wall seating, and more that we are excited to share with the community,” says Lipsman.
“The Katy Rice Festival is the main annual event help by the city in downtown Katy,” says City of Katy Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris. “Rice Harvest is a decades long tradition that brings in visitors and new and long-term residents alike to enjoy a hometown festival for all.”
Friday’s complimentary “Oktoberfest” is from 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Saturday’s festivities run from 10:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. and the Sunday is 12:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
“We want everyone to come and enjoy the Katy Rice Harvest Festival which has been one of the great traditions of our city for many years,” says Mayor Thiele.