Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
It's so hot outside the squirrels are fanning themselves – but that's never stopped a Katy summer. Between snowcones in the park, live music on the green and a certain country legend headed our way this fall, there's plenty to smile about.
Pour something cold and settle in.
Now, in today's edition:
Country legend to headline the Katy Rice Harvest Festival
Your taxes just got a big break – especially for Seniors
A BBQ place worth fighting for
40+ events & more
— Grant Hamilton
Big Announcement
Lonestar and Neal McCoy Are Coming to Katy
Mark your calendar for fall, because Katy's biggest party just landed two headliners worth bragging about. The 2026 Katy Rice Harvest Festival is bringing country favorites Lonestar and Neal McCoy to the heart of downtown.
Here's what to know:
The festival runs Oct. 10–11, 2026 at the newly redesigned Historic Town Square in front of Katy City Hall.
Lonestar won the 2001 CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and their signature hit "Amazed" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 2000 — the first country song to top that chart since "Islands in the Stream" in 1983.
Expect 100+ vendor booths, carnival rides, expanded "Agventure" experiences, food trucks, and family and toddler zones.
The festival is organized by the City of Katy with the Rotary Club of Katy, and 100% of net proceeds fund scholarships and community grants.
Here's the part that makes it extra special: during the May 2026 Scholarship Banquet, more than $100,000 in scholarships was awarded to local students — one of the largest scholarship distributions in festival history. So every corn dog and carnival ride helps a Katy kid chase a dream.
P.S. Know a Lonestar superfan? Forward this and start planning your group's festival day.
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What's New
Your Taxes Just Got a Big Break
Good news is headed for Katy homeowners' mailboxes, and it could save you real money. Texas voters approved bigger homestead exemptions, and the savings show up on the tax bills arriving this fall.
The key details:
For 2026, the school-district homestead exemption rose from $100,000 to $140,000, approved by voters in November 2025.
Homeowners 65 or older or those who are disabled get an additional $60,000 — a combined $200,000 off their school-district taxable value.
Both took effect Jan. 1, 2026 and apply to school-district taxes only.
If you already have a homestead exemption on file, you don't need to do anything — it renews automatically.
New or first-time claimants need to file Form 50-114 with their county appraisal district.
How much are we talking? State estimates suggest seniors will see a typical combined tax cut of about $1,933.23 — roughly a 58.5% reduction in school-district property taxes for seniors compared with 2023.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
BBQ Worth Fighting Over
Some Katy-area flavors are worth fighting for — and the Risinger family proved it. When Dozier's BBQ closed on March 30, 2024 under non-family owners after 67 years, longtime fans mourned a genuine Texas institution. Then Ed Dozier's great-grandson, Tyler Risinger, stepped up.
Tyler teamed with lifelong friend Keith Brochhausen and reopened Dozier's on Aug. 20, 2024, dusting off the original family recipes. "This has been a prayer of ours since we were 19," Tyler's wife Stacy wrote when the comeback was announced. The pitmaster legacy runs deep: Ed Dozier founded the place in 1957 and won first place at the inaugural Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Bar-B-Que Cook-off.
That heritage tastes as good as it sounds. Dozier's pecan-smoked sausage and bacon have been a staple since 1957 — President George H.W. Bush even had the bacon shipped to the White House. The revived smokehouse quickly earned community recognition, and the family isn't slowing down: they've expanded into The Finn food hall in downtown Houston and revived 2M's Malt N Burger Mart in Rosenberg.
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
Trading-Card Gaming for Teens | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 9 | (Free) Details
Location: Fulshear Branch Library
Description: Teens come and play Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more. Some supplies will be provided. Perfect for that card-loving teen in your life!
Frosty Fridays | 10:00–11:30 AM, Friday, July 10 | (Free) Details
Location: VFW Park
Description: Free frozen treats, Parks & Rec swag, and the latest on summer programs – basically the easiest way to start your weekend on a high note. These will be happening each Friday in July starting with the 10th at different parks across Katy. This first one comes with a drone demo.
Fire Truck/EMS Visit – Harris County Fire Department Meet and Greet | 4:00 PM - 5 PM, Friday, July 10 | (Free) Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: Join for a special visit from Harris County Emergency Services District 48 Fire-EMS! Kids will have the chance to meet real firefighters and first responders, learn about fire safety, and even explore a real fire truck up close.
Special Preschool Storytime — Americana Music Show | 10:15 AM, Saturday, July 11 | (Free) Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: "Classical Sing, Move and Play" celebrates America's 250th with kid-friendly classical music. Preschoolers welcome to wiggle, dance, and sing along.
Stage Combat: Dancing with Swords | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday, July 13 | (Free) Details
Location: Katy Branch Library
Description: Kids ages 8-11 come and learn to use the traditional positions of fencing to choreograph their own stage combat scenes. Students will practice with special safety foam swords. Sounds like a kid’s dream.
Special Preschool Storytime — Dinosaur Theater | 10:15 AM, Tuesday, July 14 | (Free) Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: Express Children's Theatre brings "Tyrana Saurus Rex" to the library – an interactive prehistoric storytime that's part of this summer's "Unearth A Story" theme. Perfect for ages 3 to 5 and the grown-ups who love watching little ones go wide-eyed.
Typhoon Texas Summer Event Days | Select July dates | Calendar
Location: Typhoon Texas
Description: Beat the heat with parties, movie nights and themed family days all summer long.
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment
Lemon Yellow Sun | 7:30–9:00 PM, Friday, July 10 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: A Pearl Jam tribute band brings '90s grunge-rock to the lawn under the stars. Pack a blanket, some lawn chairs, and prepare to nod along to "Even Flow."
Pat Green | 8:00 PM, Friday, July 10 | Tickets
Location: Home Run Dugout
Description: Texas country favorite Pat Green brings his singalong anthems to Katy.
Los Clásicos del Vallenato | 7:30 PM, Saturday, July 11 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Traditional Colombian vallenato – lively, accordion-driven folk music that's almost impossible to sit still through. A great excuse to bring the whole family out for the evening.
Flashback Funk Fest | 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 11 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Old-school funk all night long with Morris Day & The Time, Zapp, Con Funk Shun, and The S.O.S. Band. If you grew up dancing to "Jungle Love" or "More Bounce to the Ounce," this one's for you.
Nevels & Crew | 7:30–9:00 PM, Friday, July 17 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: An Interactive Soul, Pop & R&B Experience. A seamless blend of timeless soul and modern pop hits – from Al Green and Lauryn Hill to Bruno Mars and John Legend.
Nervous Rex | 7:30–9:00 PM, Saturday, July 18 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Another free Saturday-night concert at Central Green. Grab dinner nearby and stroll over.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show | 8:00 PM, Sunday, July 19 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: One of the world's great tribute acts recreates Pink Floyd's epic sound-and-light show.
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Sugar Land Space Cowboys vs. Albuquerque Isotopes | 7:05 PM nightly (2:05 PM Sunday), July 7–12 | Tickets
Location: Constellation Field, Sugar Land
Description: Triple-A baseball on a six-game homestand. Don't miss Fireworks Friday on July 10 (with a free Texas Flag jersey for the first 2,000 fans) or Sunday's Blippi Meet & Greet plus Kids Run the Bases postgame.
Eagle 5K, 10K & Half Marathon at Katy | 8:00 AM, Saturday, July 11 | Tickets
Location: Mason Creek Hike & Bike Trail, Katy
Description: An out-and-back trail race in three distances, with costume awards for the bold. Packet pickup opens 30 minutes prior and closes 10 minutes before the start — no on-site registration.
🎨 Food, Arts, Markets, & Community
Pregnancy Wellness with Reflexology | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Saturday, Jul 11 | (Free) Details
Location: Katy Branch Library
Description: Happy feet, happy mama. Come learn about how reflexology can offer benefits during and after pregnancy, including reducing fatigue and more!
KTX Market at No Label Brewing | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Saturday, July 11 | (Free) Details
Location: No Label Brewing Co.
Description: Shop 25+ local makers, sip a fresh Katy-brewed beer and grab a bite from the food trucks. Live music and a family-friendly vibe make it an easy summer evening.
Women of Katy Symposium | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, Thursday, July 16 | Tickets
Location: 2707 Commercial Center Blvd., Ste. K-100, Katy
Description: The third annual symposium spotlights business, family and mental well-being. A great morning to connect and get inspired. Lunch provided with your ticket purchase.
Together, We Can Fight Cancer | 12 PM, Saturday, July 18 | (Free) Details - Sarah at 832-483-5865
Location: Twins Tavern
Description: Cody Barber is a longtime Katy resident. She has been a source of strength, encouragement, and support to many in the community, including running 100 miles to raise awareness and support for those battling cancer. Now, she is facing a battle of her own with cancer. This event is for the Katy community to support her, and will have Bingo, live music, great food & drinks, and more, with all proceeds going towards Cody’s medical expenses and treatment. There is also a GoFundMe set up for her here for those who are interested in contributing - Link
🔭 On the Horizon
Sugar Land Space Cowboys 12-game homestand | July 21 – August 2 | Tickets
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Story Time with Ms. Najia | 10:00–11:00 AM, Third Monday Each Month, Next is July 20 | Details
No Label Brewing Co. | Daily Food Trucks, Monday - Thursday | Details
Walking Group at Mary Jo Peckham Park | Tuesdays, 8 AM | Details
Fleet Feet Tuesday Run | Tuesdays, 6 PM | 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 July 9 | Details
Story Time with Ms. Maria | First Thursday of Each Month, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Next is August 6th | Details
Adult Coloring Hour | Thursdays, 6 PM | Details
Katy Garden Club | Second Thursday of Each Month, Next is July 9 | Details
Farmers Market on Grand Parkway | Saturdays, 8 AM - 12 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
Knotty and Nice Knitting Club | Every Wednesday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Details
That's it for today!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
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