Katy’s 30th Annual Rice Harvest Festival is Here
Katy families prepare for one of the biggest and best festivals around
It’s that time of year again – time for the annual Rice Harvest Festival – and it’s all thanks to Katy’s rice farming history. The Katy area’s 15 operating rice farms begin harvesting their 9,500 acres in late July or early August, with the rice making its way to the Rice Dryers in east Katy. The American Rice Growers Association, which operates one of three commercial dryers in the Katy area, only dries the rice from these Katy area farmers. They also grade rice from other rice farmers outside the Katy area, who have their own dryers. The Association sells their rice along with Katy area’s rice to ARI, to be milled into the nation’s premium long grain rice.
This year marks the Rice Harvest Festival’s 30th anniversary. Previous Festivals have drawn 40,000 to 50,000 people for the weekend long event, with the proceeds benefitting 60 non-profit organizations. Several local participants will be returning this year to ensure great food, enjoyable activities, and fun and informative booths. Look for KISD High School Project Graduation and the Katy Volunteer Fire Department, as well as local organizations like VFW, Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. Volunteers from local schools and churches help man many of the booths.
The weekend long event takes place in the historic district of downtown Katy as a way of honoring the local rice farmers and their contribution to the area’s economy and as a way to promote the city of Katy. Admission prices are $7 per person for one day admittance and includes the live entertainment on both stages. The Carnival wristbands cost $20 for one day admission on Saturday or Sunday, and $15 for Friday night only. Food offerings include barbecue, funnel cakes, boudin balls, roasted corn on the cob, sausage on a stick, chicken on stick, turkey legs, kettle corn and more.
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade runs through downtown Katy the weekend before the actual Festival, on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The parade begins at 10 AM, but to make sure you and your family don’t miss any of the action, come early and begin lining those streets at 9AM.
Katy High School is offering free parking for the Rice Harvest Festival and Carnival with free shuttle service provided to and from the festival grounds. Handicap parking is available on Avenue A just south of third street for those with a legal handicap permit visibly displayed. Handicap accessible portable toilets will be located at Gates 7 and 8. The Festival runs on Saturday, October 9th from 10AM to 11:30PM and Sunday, October 10th from Noon to 6:00PM.
      
A Map Of The Festival Grounds Can Be Found At:
30th Katy Rice Harvest Festival – map
http://riceharvestfestival.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Po3Fw_ncKhQ%3d&tabid=225
For Complete Rice Harvest Festival Information:
Visit: 30th Annual Katy Rice Harvest Festival
http://riceharvestfestival.org/
Or Contact:
Katy Area Chamber of Commerce
23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd, Suite B206Â Â Â
Katy, TX 77494Â Â Â
281.391.KATY (5289)
