Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
There's something about summer that makes this town feel even more like home. The farmers markets are in full swing, Typhoon Texas season is rolling, and every park in Cinco Ranch seems to have a yoga class or a live band on the calendar. But the thing that caught our eye this week? A group of Katy teenagers making serious noise on the Houston music scene.
Now, in today's edition:
🎸 Katy garage band is a finalist for a Houston music award
🚧 Grand Parkway frontage roads are coming (eventually)
🍳 Old Town Katy’s forever diner turns 24
30+ events & more
– Grant Hamilton
Before We Get Into The News
Story Update: They Did It 🏆
Remember the Katy Tigers softball team we told you about a couple weeks ago? They finished the job! Katy beat Forney 7-2 on Saturday to win the UIL 6A Division II State Championship — the program's third state title and first since 2019.
Head coach Meghan VanEtta, in just her second season leading the program, guided a 39-5 squad all the way to Austin. Freshman pitcher Haley Schmitt held Forney to two runs, right fielder Abby Eldridge drove in three (including a two-run homer in the sixth), and Evie Willemssen set the tone early with a two-RBI double in the first inning.
Forney loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but catcher Maddie Smith shut the door with a pickoff to end it. State champs. Our girls. Katy, Texas. 🐯
Congrats to the entire team, coaching staff, and every parent who drove to Austin this weekend.
Community Spotlight
Katy's Teen Rock Band Is a Houston Best-of Finalist
If you haven't heard of Garbage Girlfriend yet, you're about to. This four-piece, all-female teen rock band started right here in Katy in July 2022 — and they just got named one of five finalists for Best Local Band in the Houston Chronicle's Best of the Best 2026 contest. Voting closed May 26, and now the whole city is waiting to see if their hometown showed up.
Here's the details:
The lineup: founder and drummer Evelyn Moreno (17), lead vocalist Liv Teixeira (15), guitarist Christy Ferra (15), and bassist Ciona Casino (18). They write and release their own music.
In Moreno's words: "We've worked hard to build this band from the ground up, and we're proud to represent the next wave of Houston rock."
Winners will be revealed at the Chronicle's awards ceremony on July 16, with results published July 19. We'll bring you the verdict.
Where to catch them next: they headline the Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues Houston on Friday, August 1, for their debut album release show.
Recent highlight: they opened Discovery Green's "Girls on the Green" Women's History Month celebration back in March.
Four teenagers from Katy, writing their own songs, playing House of Blues, and competing for the best band in Houston. That's a Katy story worth following.
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City Updates
Cinco Ranch Drivers, Some Relief Is Coming (But First More Cones)
If you drive the Grand Parkway through Cinco Ranch, buckle up — the next couple of years are going to look a lot like the last couple: orange barrels, lane shifts, and patience. But there is a real payoff at the end. Three new frontage-road segments are adding nearly 10 lane-miles in total, funded by a $58.6 million Houston-Galveston Area Council grant that covers more than half of the $108 million project tab.
Here's what to know:
First segment now under construction: the southbound frontage road from Bay Hill Blvd. to Cinco Ranch Blvd. Crews broke ground in March 2026 with an 18-month schedule — look for completion around fall 2027.
Up next (late 2026): the northbound stretch from South Fry Rd. to Westheimer Parkway, and the southbound stretch from Westheimer back to South Fry. Both expected to wrap by end of 2028.
The H-GAC grant frees up roughly $80 million in county dollars that Commissioner Vincent Morales says will be redirected to other Precinct 1 mobility projects.
More lanes, better access, and a chunk of money freed up for future road projects. Worth the wait — and the cones.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
Old Town Katy's Forever Diner: Snappy's at 24
Some restaurants need to reinvent themselves every six months. Snappy's Café & Grill, sitting at 5803 Hwy Blvd. in Old Town Katy since 2002, has done the exact opposite — and regulars will tell you that’s exactly why they keep coming back.
The highlights:
Founded by Bobby Katsabas and Alex Tsounakas, rebuilt with the help of the volunteer "Katy Navy" after Hurricane Harvey, and now under owner Anna Liu since June 2021.
The Snappy's Breakfast — eggs, crispy bacon, and a stack of pancakes that reviewers call "more than you can eat." The SOS plate (biscuits and sausage gravy) is the other fan favorite.
Breakfast tacos, chicken-fried steak, and the ham club round out a menu where most plates land under $15, and many under $10.
Hours: Mon–Sat 6 a.m.–3 p.m., Sun 6 a.m.–2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch only — they go home before dinner.
👉 No reservations. Get there before 9 a.m. on weekends or plan to potentially wait a while for a good seat.
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
🐣 Family Fun
Fort Bend County Libraries — 2026 Summer Reading Challenge | Challenge runs through August 31 | (Free) Details
Location: Online or any of the 11 FBCL branches (including Cinco Ranch and Bob Lutts Fulshear-Simonton)
Description: Log books or reading hours to earn prizes — open to all ages and all county residents. The summer-long reading challenge is back. Sign up at any Fort Bend County Library branch, log your reading, and earn prizes all summer. All ages welcome.
Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff Movie: Jurassic Park | 2:00–4:15 PM, Tuesday, June 2 | (Free) Details
Location: Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy
Description: Fort Bend County Libraries kick off the "Unearth a Story" summer reading challenge with a free screening of Jurassic Park. Popcorn not guaranteed, but dinosaurs definitely are.
Story Time with Ms. Maria | 10:00–11:00 AM, Thursday, June 4 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Outdoor storytime under the shade at Central Green. Ms. Maria brings the books, you bring the blanket.
Farm Life Summer Camp | Monday–Thursday, A session runs each week in June | Tickets
Location: ROSE Therapeutic Farm
Description: Hands-on farm learning and animal care for ages 5–13. The second of two week-long sessions. If your kid has ever asked to pet a goat, this is the place. They also have another session later in July, check the link above for more details.
Typhoon Texas | Open daily for 2026 season | Tickets
Location: Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd.
Description: It's hot. They have water slides. You know what to do.
Fort Bend County Libraries — Children's Book Week Baby Book Bags | Through June 6 | (Free) Details
Location: All 11 FBCL branches and participating birthing centers
Description: Stop by any Fort Bend County Library branch and pick up a free baby book bag while supplies last. A sweet perk during Children's Book Week.
Ember Park Grand Opening | 4:00-6:00 PM, Saturday June 13 | (Free) Details
Location: 6310 Wildwood Pines Lane
Description: Join for family fun while celebrating the grand opening of Elyson’s newest park. There will be great food, beverages, lawn games, live music, and more.
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment
Spin Cycle at Central Green Park | 7:30 PM, Friday, June 5 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Kick off the weekend with live music at Central Green. Houston cover band serving up decades of crowd-pleasers. Bring chairs, bring snacks, bring the crew.
Martin Lawrence — Y'all Still Know What It Is! Tour | 8:00 PM, Friday, June 5 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Martin Lawrence brings his stand-up tour to Sugar Land. This will be an evening of storytelling and great humor.
No Where But Up at Central Green Park | 7:00 PM, Saturday, June 6 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Saturday night live music on the Green. Grab a spot on the lawn and let someone else handle the entertainment for the evening.
Texas Best Music Fest | Sunday, June 7 | Tickets
Location: Mo's Place, Katy
Description: Live music all day featuring Scotty Alexander & Hayden Baker, Bill, Kim, and Jimmy Nash, and special guest Grace Harrison. Proceeds benefit Champions Kids Camp. Doors open at 2pm, first act at 3pm.
Let It Rock (Bon Jovi Tribute) | 7:30–9:00 PM, Friday, June 12 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Bon Jovi tribute night on the Green. Livin' on a prayer that the weather cooperates.
Caribbean Night | Saturday, June 13 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Caribbean-themed live music and vibes at Central Green. A Saturday night well spent.
🏃 Sports & Fitness
3v3 Black Top Basketball Tournament | 3:00 PM, Saturday, June 6 | (Free) Register
Location: Katy City Park
Description: Three-on-three hoops at the park. For ages 9-12. Half court with quick games to get everyone involved. Free to play, register your team at the link above!
Sugar Land Space Cowboys vs. Sacramento River Cats | Tuesday, June 9 – Sunday, June 14 | Tickets
Location: Constellation Field, Sugar Land
Description: A full homestand with themed nights all week — highlights include Dollar Dog Wednesday (Jun 10), Fireworks Friday with a Baseball Soccer Ball giveaway (Jun 12), Soccer Jersey giveaway for the first 2,000 fans on Saturday (Jun 13), and Toy Story Night on Sunday (Jun 14). Great family night.
🏛️ Community & Culture
AI Basics Course | 6:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 9 | (Free) Details
Location: Katy Branch Library
Description: Curious about artificial intelligence but not sure where to start? Join us for a beginner-friendly class that breaks down the basics of AI in simple, everyday language. No technical background needed!
Katy Exchange International Food Fest | 4:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, June 13 | (Free) Details
Location: Historic Town Square, 910 Avenue C, Katy 77493
Description: Local vendors serving international food, plus live entertainment and family activities on the Town Square. A great Saturday afternoon/evening out that won't cost you a dime to walk in.
Katy Area Chamber State of Higher Education Luncheon | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Thursday, June 11 | Tickets
Location: Katy Area Chamber
Description: Join for an important conversation on the role of higher education in preparing the future workforce and supporting continued growth in the Katy area.
🔭 On the Horizon (June 16–30)
AEW Dynamite & Collision (Live Taping) | Wednesday, June 17, 6:30 PM | Tickets
ImagineNation Kid Expo | Saturday–Sunday, June 20–21, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Tickets
Cirque on the Square | Saturday, June 20, 6:00–9:00 PM | (Free) Details
No Label Brewing 1st Street 5K Beer Run | Saturday, June 20, 8:00 AM | Tickets
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
No Label Brewing Co. — Daily Food Trucks | Monday - Thursday | Details
Yoga on the Green — Wednesdays & Fridays, ~8 AM | Details
Bird Walk | Thursdays, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Details
Totally Toddler Time | Thursdays, 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM and 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Details
Adult Watercolor Art Club | Every Other Thursday, Next is June 11 | Details
Katy Garden Club | Second Thursday of Each Month, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Details
Farmers Market at The Dryer — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
Fulshear Farmers Market — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
George Ranch Historical Park | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturdays | Tickets
Adult Guitar Café | Every Other Saturday 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Next is June 13 | Details
Farmers Market at LaCenterra — Sundays, 11 AM - 3 PM | Details
That's it for today!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].