Visitors to this year’s Rice Harvest Festival will pay an extra dollar in admission, with proceeds from the added amount going to fund the City of Katy’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
During Monday’s meeting, the Katy City Council approved an agreement to allow the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce to use the downtown area for the festival, along with a $7 admission fee.
One dollar from each paid admission will go to fund the city’s Independence Day fireworks.
Speaking to the council, Chamber Board President Troy Maxwell made the recommendation to raise the admission fee.
“We ask that the council approve changing the $6 admission to $7, with the extra dollar going to the City of Katy to be used toward the fireworks display,” Maxwell suggested.
The idea of using a portion of the admission fee was raised by Mayor Pro Tem Hank Schmidt when the chamber first requested use of the downtown area during the Jan. 25 council meeting. Since the city and the chamber had not had a chance to discuss the proposal, the matter was tabled until Monday’s meeting.
At the end of the meeting, several council members expressed their appreciation to the chamber for its willingness to help the financially-strapped fireworks display. In recent years, the city had been on the verge of canceling the fireworks because of a lack of funding. Only through last-minute financial support from local businesses was the city able to put on the show.
“I think this (agreement) makes it a win-win situation for both,” Schmidt said during closing comments.
In making the request, Chamber President/CEO Ann Hodge pointed out this year’s event would mark the festival’s 30th anniversary.
“This year will bring a very special opportunity for our community. This will be the 30th anniversary of the Katy Rice Harvest Festival,” Hodge noted. “The growth of this event over the last 30 years is remarkable and we are truly indebted to the City of Katy for your support.”
The request included the city’s permission to block a number of downtown streets from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. Streets included in the closure were Avenue B and Avenue C from First Street to Fourth Street, and Second and Third Streets from Avenue A to Avenue D.
The chamber also asked the city to institute a no-parking zone within the festival area beginning 6 p.m. Oct. 8 to help with the closure of streets and to set up stages.
The chamber also asked approval for the Rice Harvest Parade to be held in the downtown area on Oct. 2, with the parade route being presented for approval at a later date.
This year’s festival is scheduled for Oct. 9-10.
