The 30th anniversary Katy Rice Harvest Festival is still more than six weeks away, but it is already setting records.
The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, which produces the annual event, announced yesterday that all vendor booths had sold out.
This marked the first time in the history of the festival that all booths sold out more than six weeks prior to the event. Food booths have been sold out for several months.
The festival committee also announced this year’s event will see a record number of hand-crafted and homemade items for sale.
Italian hand painted crystal, homemade candles, handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings, wood art for yards, hand-crafted greeting cards, handmade wooden toys, hand-knit shawls, hand-crafted cedar outdoor furniture, handmade Christmas stockings, holiday decorations and cowboy lanterns are all among the items for sale this year.
Other items featured include inspirational crosses, original art work, crocheted clothing, handmade belts and belt buckles, recycled art and handmade children’s items.
Homemade gourmet foods, homemade queso, salsas, Nine Jalapeno jellies, gourmet olive oils, gourmet vinegars, shelled pecans, flavored pecans and pecan oil will all be for sale in food specialty booths.
Along “Food Alley,” festival goers will find sausage-on-a-stick, turkey legs, boudain balls, roasted corn, gyros, Kettle Korn, fresh-squeezed lemonade, jambalaya, meatballs-on-a-stick and funnel cakes. New this year will be the “Texas Twister.”
In addition to the craft, commercial and food booths, this year’s Rice Harvest Festival will feature a wide variety of live entertainment on the Katy Stage. Saturday’s line-up includes Eder Mace Band, DunVille, The Convertibles, The Trishas, The Silverado Band, Bayou Roux and the Grateful Geezers.
The Zydeco Dots, Scooter Brown Band and Micky & The Motorcars all take the stage Sunday.
This year’s festival will be held Oct. 9-10 in downtown Katy.
Free parking and free shuttle service to and from the festival will again be available.
Admission is $7 for adults and children over 12 years of age.
To support the City of Katy, $1 per ticket will be contributed to the city’s annual July 4th fireworks display.
Additionally, Cinco Ranch High School, Faith West Academy, Katy High School, Mayde Creek High School, Morton Ranch High School, Pope John XXIII High School, Seven Lakes High School and Taylor High School will all benefit from the gate proceeds.
The festival’s carnival will be open Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday until 6 p.m. In addition to the larger rides, the carnival will have a separate “kiddie kingdom,” featuring pony rides and a train.
For information on purchasing carnival armbands or admission tickets, visit the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.katychamber.com.
