The Katy Rice Harvest Festival 2008
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival has been a Katy tradition since 1978, honoring the Katy rice farming legacy. Although the number of rice farmers and fields in the area has lowered significantly since that time, Katy still holds a festival honoring the legacy. The festival is held on October 11 and 12, 2008 in Downtown Katy.
The Festival features crafts, food, and live entertainment on 2 stages. It’s fun for the whole family. Each year, about 40,000 – 50,000 visitors attend the Rice Harvest Festival.
Tickets will be sold at the festival
Gates open at 10:00 AM
Regular Festival Price: $6.00 Adults
Children 12 and under are free.
Live Music Schedule
Saturday Oct. 11
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The Rafters
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Eder-Mace Band
- 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM The Convertibles
- 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CNC Band
- 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Bayou Roux
- 8:30 PM – 10 :00 PM Johnny Lee
- 10:30 PM -Midnight The Fab 5
Sunday, Oct. 12
- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Lady D & The Zydeco Tornadoes
- 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM The Grateful Geezers
- 4:30 PM-6:00 PM Todd Fritsch
History of the Katy Rice Harvest Festival
Rice farming began in the Katy area in 1898 with its height in the late 1960’s. In the early days, the land was full of rice fields, and there were more than 300 rice farmers. That number has dwindled to 9,500 acres planted in rice and about 15 active farmers.
Rice farming made a significant contribution to the Katy area economy and the Tri County Optimists wanted to honor that Katy legacy. They put together an event in 1978 held at the VFW Park and named it “Sellabration”. In 1980 they determined Sellabration outgrew them and a nucleus of Katy folks joined together to plan an event that would continue the legacy and be unique to Katy.
Bringing the community together to educate people about rice and let the farmers showcase what they do, combined with the idea of holding an art show by artists both local and statewide continued to be the discussion for local people . The Westside Art Guild was excited about giving artists another avenue to show their work, the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce was excited about promoting the Katy area and the City of Katy was very receptive to the idea of a festival.
Today, the Rice Harvest Festival has over 300 craft and food booths and 45,000 to 50,000 visitors.
For more visit the Rice Harvest Festival website
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Once again, I am proud to be affiliated with Keller Williams Katy @ CInco Ranch! Our real estate office will provide traffic control for the Katy Rice Festival as we have done in years past.
What ever happened to wayne toupes. just a thought
Being a New Orleans native and an LSU graduate, I am missing Wayne, too. Don’t know where he went but wish he would find his way back to Katy! Rice and zydeco go together whether in Texas or Louisiana.
Houston Community College is a proud sponsor of the Katy Rice Harvest Festival. Come check out our booth on Festival Fairway, meet with some of our amazing faculty and staff, and enjoy yourself immensely at Katy’s best event!
We have a local star from Katy, Tx. that has never been on stage at the Rice Festival that puts on a great show. J. P. Richardson Jr., son of J.P. Richardson (known as The Big Bopper . If you would like to see a show that will take you back in time and run chills down your spine from the talent of each band member to the singing of J.P. Richards bringing back the great music his dad gave to us so many years ago, that today kids to adults would all enjoy. I would like to see J.P. onstage, and I guaranty you would to. Think about it, he’s right here in Katy, Tx.
Thanks, Dwayne W
the rice festival is awesome