Katy Rice Festival Sets Return of Carnival Fun with Expanded Area

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

September 9, 2022

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy’s most historic event returns this year with the return of the much-anticipated carnival. The Katy Rice Festival’s 42nd year promises to be an event of fun and time to celebrate Katy.

Photo courtesy of the City of Katy.

Downtown Katy will be full of life next month (October 7-9, 2022) as the city gathers for the 42nd 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.

The city hasn’t had a carnival at the festival for the last two seasons and this year’s return will mark the biggest carnival yet.

“We have expanded the area from previous years to bring in bigger and better rides with a wide variety of options,” says Ashley Lipsman, City of Katy Tourism and Marketing Coordinator.

The event kicks off Friday, October 7, 2022 and goes through Sunday, October 9, 2022. There will be live entertainment, food and beer, arts and craft vendor shopping, and more Katy fun including the carnival.

The carnival will also include classic games like Balloon Pop, Water Race, and Ring-a-Bottle.

“We’re excited to bring in a variety of rides for the whole family to enjoy like the Super Jet Roller Coaster, Tornado, and 100 Foot Slide to things like the Dizzy Dragon, Sizzler, and Merry Go Round for the littles,” says Lipsman. “And of course, you can’t have a carnival without a Ferris Wheel.”

Carnival Tickets for Sale at Event, Cash Only

Tickets for the carnival and games will only be available at the event and will be cash-only.

The carnival kicks off with the event on Friday night from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Katy.

Celebrating 42 Years of Tradition

The Katy Rice Festival started in 1980 and was initially created to celebrate Katy's history and rice. Katy was known as the "Rice Capital of the World" and the remnants of that history can still be seen from I-10 in the form of the rice silos among the town's commercial growth and development.

"The Katy Rice Festival is an amazing charitable event since all net proceeds will be donated to Katy students and charities through scholarships and donations by our partners at the Rotary Club of Katy," says City of Katy Mayor Dusty Thiele.

“Katy Rice Festival is a tradition that is both famous and fun in the Katy area and beyond,” says Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris. “This year we will have new attractions back, including the carnival, good small-town fun for all.”

Buy Festival Tickets Online

Tickets to the Katy Rice Festival are $10 with children 12 years of age and under free.

Follow updates on the Katy Rice Festival online. The annual parade will take place on October 1 at 9:00 a.m. Sign up to participate in the parade for just $25.

“We are looking forward to sharing the Katy Rice Festival experience with all our citizens and their families,” says Mayor Thiele. “We want everyone to come and enjoy this historic Katy event which has been one of the great traditions of our city for many years.”

The Katy Rice Festival is still accepting volunteers. Visit their website for more information and to sign up.

“We hope to provide an unforgettable carnival experience for the community to enjoy,” says Lipsman.

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