January
YMCA Fitness Festival
Check out the latest in fitness and learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle
www.ymcahouston.org
February
Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo
One of the largest school rodeos in the state, the three-day event attracts some of the best rodeo professionals in the country. This rodeo supports agricultural education within the Katy Independent School District and is held in conjunction with the school district’s annual FFA livestock show. www.katyrodeo.org
March
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
The oldest and most prestigious horse show in the Southwest. Features hunters and jumpers, registered breeds and various equestrian disciplines including both riding and driving. American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Hackneys, Welsh ponies and Roadster horses and ponies in exciting competitions over two weekends. Held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center www.pinoak.org
Southland Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments
The top eight men's and women's regular season finishers will meet at the Merrell Center. The men's and women's bracket winners will earn automatic qualification into the 2008 NCAA Tournaments. www.southland.org
April
Folk Life Festival
See, Hear & Smell... Black powder rifles & cannons booming, campfires burning, pottery wheels turning, soft twang of the dulcimers, aroma of corn cakes to sample, open fire cooking. Come and experience life on the prairie from 100 years ago.
www.katyisd.org/curriculum/outdoor/folklife.htm
YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Annual celebration about fun and fitness. Local vendors, moonwalks, petting zoo, demonstrations
www.ymcahouston.org
National Reining Breeders Classic
National Reining Breeders Classic is the largest added money reining horse show event in the world. In 2007, over $1,000,000 in prize money was awarded during the two week show held for the last eight years at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. Each year competitors from over 20 countries compete for this prestigious prize. www.nrbc.com
May
International Migratory Bird Day
Over 300 species of birds have been spotted on the Katy Prairie, making this priceless landscape one of the 50 hottest birding sites in the nation! Flashy flycatchers, brilliant buntings, zipping hummingbirds, and swooping Swainson’s hawks highlight spring migration. Each year these migratory birds make marathon flights from as far away as the tip of South America to reach the prairie. www.katyprairie.org
October
Katy Rice Harvest Festival
Named HCN Katy Sun Reader’s Choice Best Annual Event
Named One of Top Ten Festivals in Houston Area
Historic Downtown Katy
Celebrate Katy’s agricultural heritage with a parade, arts and crafts, food, carnival, photo contest, rice cooking contest and continuous live entertainment on two stages. www.katychamber.com
Family Day on the Prairie
A free, family-friendly event featuring nature walks, wildlife-viewing tours, fun-filled activities and booths featuring the wildlife, agricultural history, and foods of the Katy Prairie area. Visitors can hear story tellers, take a hay ride and see exhibits of rice farm equipment, farm animals, and locally-grown foods. The event is held on Nelson Farms, an active rice farm and prairie preserve, on the Katy Prairie, just north of downtown Katy. www.katyprairie.org
November
Turkey Dash 5K and 1 Mile Family Run
Chip timed event with prizes in each age group.
www.ymcahouston.org
City of Katy Tree Lighting
Children’s activities, City of Katy tree lighting and arrival of Santa. 281.391.4840
Home for the Holidays
Children’s activities, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch Tree Lighting and Santa’s arrival followed by the Children’s Teddy Bear Parade. Co-sponsored by Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch.
Courtesy of the Katy Area Visitor & Tourism Bureau
a division of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce