KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
February 3, 2020
By Pat Baldwin
The free, spring Heart of Katy Market will feature more than 100 vendors. The event is open to the public and will be held in the Commons and East Gym at Katy High School, 6331 Highway Blvd., February 8 - 9.
Proceeds from the booth rentals and the food concession will benefit the Katy Bengal Brigade and Cheerleaders (KBBC), best known for their half-time performances during KHS football games. The dance group has hosted the semi-annual market event for more than two decades.
The market is open on Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 9, from Noon to 5 p.m.
Evolution Over Years
Patty Henson, KBBC director, explains that the event has evolved over the years from a “craft fair” to a true “market” featuring a variety of goods.
In addition to crafts, vendors – both commercial and homegrown – will offer art, handcrafted gifts, gift baskets, clothing, jewelry, home décor, kitchen accessories and other unique products.
Cindi Stalder, a direct sales consultant for Thirty-One Gifts, has been a vendor for nearly five years. Her company sells purses, wallets, home organization systems, wood products and home décor items, such as decorative pillows.
The decision to participate in the Heart of Katy Market is an easy one since she and her husband are KHS graduates.
“We support the Brigade,” Stalder says. “In Katy, people are a tight community.”
Raising Fun and Fundraising
This spring market’s fundraising goal for the KBBC is $10,000. Henson says the funds support the KBBC travel performances and competitions.
In the spring 2021, the dance group plans a cross-country performance trip. Details have not yet been finalized, but Disney World in Florida is under consideration.
On February 22, the Brigade team will compete in the American Dance/Drill Team Contest set for Morton Ranch High School. They will enter with three team routines and four officer routines.
Also on the calendar, the KBBC will perform in March at a San Antonio Spurs versus Chicago Bulls basketball game in San Antonio.
Whatever the destination, the travel provides an “awesome experience” for the 100 members of the KBBC, Henson says.
Students, Parents Pitch-in
During the Heart of Katy Market, the KBBC members will help set up, clean up and serve as hostesses during the two-day event.
Parent volunteers from the KBBC Booster Club also will participate by selling KHS spirit wear and other Tiger logoed items. They also will staff the concession stand and the hospitality
room for vendors.
“Volunteers make this happen,” says Patty Harris, who organizes the vendors and parents.
“They are the backbone of the organization.”
Harris began volunteering more than a decade ago when she had two daughters at KHS. However, when the youngest graduated in 2008, Harris continued – and continues – her volunteer work for the Heart of Katy Market.
Hot Potato Sales
Harris explains that KBBC members and parents donate the food for the concession stand.
“We’ve become known for our baked potatoes,” she says. The spuds are large, she adds – “so large.” And, yes, they come with toppings.
Henson says more than 1,000 people attended the fall market, and she thanks Katy residents for making the market a community event.
“I want them to know how much we appreciate them coming out to support us over the years,” she says. “You can buy something you want, and at the same time, you are supporting us.”