KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
February 5, 2024
By Natalie Cook Clark
The Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Katy Rodeo has been providing student opportunities while entertaining the Katy community for 81 years. The fun starts next week with the livestock show, rodeo, carnival and more. Here's what you need to know.
Photo courtesy of Katy ISD
It’s rodeo time Katy! While Katy residents love going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that starts later this month, next week is all about the Katy Rodeo. For 81 years, Katy ISD FFA and the Katy Rodeo Committee have partnered to bring together a livestock show and rodeo that provides opportunities for students while entertaining the Katy community.
This Katy tradition kicks off next week, Tuesday February 13, 2024- Saturday February 17, 2024 at the Young Agricultural Sciences Center and W.E. Billy Morgan Rodeo Arena (5801 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road.) Students will compete in categories including steers, goats, lambs, hogs, broilers and rabbits.
"Katy ISD FFA students are some of the hardest working children in the district," says KISD Board Member Rebecca Fox. "Raising animals for exhibition and sale means boys and girls are traveling to the district-provided barns in the northwest area of Katy twice a day to care for their animals. Feeding, training, cleaning and working with them daily begins as early as 5:30 a.m. and repeats in the evening every day for months."
The public can support Katy ISD FFA students through auction and barn sale purchases, along with add-on donations via in-person or online. They are still seeking sponsors.
Each year, the KFLSRA donates around $65,000 to Katy ISD FFA.
Katy Students of All Levels Participate in the Rodeo
Katy students from kindergartners to high school FFA students are involved in the Katy Rodeo. While advance registration is required for Mutton Bustin' and typically sells out to the first 60 children, advance sign-up isn't required for Stick Horse Races.
Photo courtesy of Katy ISD
Ticket Information
Tickets are for sale online for the Katy Rodeo on February 16, 17, and 18. Adults are $15 and children are $7. Children ages 3 and under are free. The evening shows start at 7:00 p.m. All children are free on Thursday night as well as current/past military and first responders with valid I.D.
Carnival and Parade
Katy families can also enjoy the popular Carnival. The Carnival runs Thursday-Saturday. Information will be available soon online.
The Katy Rodeo Parade will be Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.. The historic Katy Cowgirls will be performing in the parade as they also celebrate 81 years of serving the Katy community.
Special Programs
This year the Best Buddies Grand Drive and the Katy ISD Art Show will return. Both were new to the schedule last year.
The best buddies Grand drive is an opportunity for each KISD FFA chapter to partner with their campus Best Buddies organization to give special needs students the opportunity to participate in the Katy ISD Livestock Show. The Best Buddy students will meet with their FFA Buddy to learn what it is like to raise and show a goat or lamb.
The Katy ISD Livestock Show reaches across curriculum to continue the Katy ISD Livestock Show Rodeo Art Exhibition. 100 art pieces from elementary, middle school, and high school students will go through prejudging before being selected for the exhibition.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
9 a.m. Best Buddies Grand Drive
10 a.m. Special Rodeo
1 p.m. Art Show
3:30 p.m. All Lamb, Goat, and Swine must be in place
4 p.m. Steers Weigh-In at Barn #5
4 p.m. Swine Weigh-In at LD Robinson Pavilion
6 p.m. Broiler Show
8 p.m. Barn Closing
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
8 a.m. Online Barn Sale Opens for Broilers
9 a.m. Floral Show
10 a.m. Horticulture Show
2 p.m. Rabbit Show
4 p.m. Goats and Lambs Weigh-In at LD Robinson Pavilion
8 p.m. Barn Closing
Thursday, February 15, 2024
8 a.m. Swine Show
8 a.m. Online Barn Sale Opens for Floral, Horticulture, and Rabbits
1 p.m. Steer Show*
2 p.m. Ag Mech Show
4 p.m. Online Barn Sale Opens for Swine
5 p.m. Art Show Awards
7 p.m. Rodeo Performance
8 p.m. Barn Closing
Friday, February 16, 2024
8 a.m. Online Barn Sale Opens for Steers
8 a.m. Goat Show
10 a.m. Lamb Show* (Online Barn Sale for Goats and Lambs will open approximately one hour after each show respectively)
1 p.m. Auction Sale Meeting* (Mandatory for All Auction Participants)
7 p.m. Rodeo Performance
8 p.m. Barn Closing
Saturday, February 17, 2024
8 a.m. Online Barn Sale Opens for All
9:30 a.m. Katy Rodeo Parade
11 a.m. Buyers’ Luncheon Invitation Only
1 p.m. Auction (Barn Sale closes one hour after the conclusion of the auction)
7 p.m. Rodeo Performance
*The show/auction meeting will start no earlier than the scheduled time, however if the previous show runs long, the next show/meeting will be set to begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the previous show/event.This is a great opportunity for newcomers and longtime residents to support Katy students.
"Their hard work doesn't stop after the rodeo," explains Fox. "They have a multitude of other experiences and competitions throughout the year, which increases their leadership, knowledge and success. FFA students and their educators are phenomenal!"
This is a great event and Katy tradition for all to enjoy. To learn more about The Katy ISD Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit their website. Can't make it in person? The events will be live streamed on their website.