Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
Quick question: does your dog have a Halloween costume yet? Because this weekend, that's not a joke – it's a competitive category. Barktoberfest is back, the pumpkin patches are open for business, and fall in Katy is officially in full swing.
We've also got some big news worth reading over your morning coffee. Let's dig in.
Now, in today's edition:
Tesla eyes Fort Bend for a nearly 10,000-job plant
UH's Katy campus enrollment soars 52%
Babin's Seafood House turns 25
30+ events & more
— Grant Hamilton
P.S. Can I just say, it might not be super cold yet, but this cooler weather has been awesome. I’ve been avoiding taking my daughter to the park all summer so we finally went back this week and she LOVED it! Hit reply and let me know what you’ve been up to to enjoy this great weather!
Community News
Tesla could bring nearly 10,000 jobs to our corner of Texas
One of the biggest job announcements our region has seen in years may be taking shape just south of us. Tesla is looking at Fort Bend County for a roughly $10.1 billion solar-manufacturing plant – code-named "Project Crystal Sun" – that could eventually employ close to 10,000 people.
Here's what to know:
The plant would make solar cells and modules. Goal: about 9,712 full-time jobs by 2033. Total yearly pay: about $1.3 billion.
Building it would bring more than 1,100 construction jobs at peak.
The proposed site is in Fort Bend County near FM 762 and FM 1994, south of Richmond – a regional project rather than one right here in Katy.
Local approvals are moving forward, and Tesla's application now heads to state officials for review.
If everything comes together, construction would run through 2028, with the plant up and running in early 2029.
Nothing's final yet – this is still in the early stages – but a manufacturer this size choosing our region would be a serious economic win for Katy-area families. We'll keep an eye on it.
A Message from Pique Life!
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Quick note from me, Grant – the publisher (and, for now, the whole staff) of The Katy Dispatch. I'm growing this newsletter so more neighbors hear about the great stuff happening in Katy. Know a local business you love? Hit reply and tell me about them – those intros help more than you'd think so I can continue to grow this thing!
City Updates
UH's Katy campus is booming – and it shows
If it feels like the University of Houston is putting down deeper roots in Katy, you're right. The UH Katy campus just posted a nearly 52% jump in enrollment this fall – and it's dressed for the occasion with a fresh red-and-white makeover at the front doors.
Here are the main details:
Enrollment is up nearly 52% over last fall, and in-person and hybrid class sections are up more than 20%.
Two brand-new degrees launched this fall: a master's with an AI focus and a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Engineering.
Six UH colleges – business, education, sciences, liberal arts, engineering, and nursing – have expanded their Katy footprint.
"We're seeing a lot of momentum in Katy," says Dr. Jay Neal, who helps lead UH's Sugar Land and Katy campuses. "We have more students on campus, more classes and more academic options."
The bottom line: a four-year degree in engineering, nursing, business, or AI is increasingly available right here at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd – no drive into the city required.
Together with Grommet!
Experts say to ditch your old cutting boards, here’s why
Your old plastic and wood cutting boards could be making you sick from microplastics, toxic mold, and hidden bacteria. Here’s the hottest-selling upgrade.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
Babin's Seafood House celebrates 25 years in Katy
Some restaurants come and go, but Babin's has been serving up South Louisiana seafood on the Katy Freeway since 2001. This fall, the homegrown favorite just celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Here's what to know:
You'll find it at 21851 Katy Freeway, with a second location in Shenandoah.
Babin's marked the milestone with a special three-course anniversary menu in September.
What to order: Start with a cup of gumbo, then go all in on the crawfish étouffée. Save room for a bowl of bisque, because 25 years in, Babin's knows what it's doing, and so should your appetite.
A quarter-century of getting gumbo right in Katy is worth celebrating – go grab a bowl and toast to 25 more.
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 🐣
First Christian Church Katy Pumpkin Patch | Daily noon–7 PM through Nov 7 | (Free entry; pumpkins priced individually) Details
Location: 22101 Morton Ranch Rd., Katy
Description: The beloved 12th-annual Katy pumpkin patch – free admission, photo stations, fall activities, and leashed dogs welcome. Proceeds fund community projects, including support for veterans and Katy families in need.
Teen Time Craft: TAB Spooky Ghost Portrait Workshop | 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 | Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: Teens in grades 6–12 can kick off Halloween crafting season by creating their own spooky ghost portraits. Creepy? Yes. Fridge-worthy? Also yes.
Outer Space Preschool Story Time & Craft | 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 8 | Details
Location: Cinco Ranch Branch Library
Description: Little astronauts ages 3–6 can blast off with space-themed stories and a take-home craft. Houston, we have a story time.
Halloween SFX Makeup Tips Workshop | 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8 | Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: Students in grades 4–12 learn pro-level special-effects makeup tricks for their spookiest Halloween look yet. Parents, consider yourselves warned.
Creative Connections: Paper Roller Coasters | 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8 | Details
Location: Fulshear Branch Library
Description: Kids in grades 4–8 design and build working roller coasters out of paper. It's STEM class disguised as a theme park.
Firefighter Story Time & Fire Safety Fun | 10:15 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9 | Details
Location: Cinco Ranch Branch Library
Description: Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with stories, crafts, and fire-safety lessons – plus a real fire truck to check out up close.
Barktoberfest | 2–6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 | Details
Location: Home Run Dugout, 1220 Grand West Blvd, Katy
Description: Bring the whole pack to this dog-and-family fall fest with four costume contests, live music, vendors, a beer garden, and a silent auction benefiting Houston Pets Alive! Last year drew about 1,500 people and raised around $52,000 — so yes, your pup's costume has competition.
ECCU Katy Fall Festival | 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Details
Location: ECCU Katy
Description: A midweek fall festival with a food truck (on the house), games, and entertainment – perfect for homeschool families and little ones not yet in school.
Live Music & Entertainment 🎸
My Hero Academia In Concert | 7:30 PM, Thursday, Oct. 8 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: The hit anime leaps off the screen as a live orchestra performs the score alongside iconic scenes on the big screen. Plus Ultra, indeed.
Chuy Lizárraga y Julio Preciado | 8:00 PM, Friday, Oct. 9 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Two banda-música legends share one stage for a night of classic Sinaloan sound, landing right in the heart of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Los Tigres del Norte – Los Tigres del Mundo Tour 2026 | 8:00 PM, Saturday, Oct. 10 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: The godfathers of norteño bring one of their biggest Houston-area stops of the tour to Sugar Land.
Lonestar & the Rice Harvest Festival Concert Series | Lonestar Sat. ~8:00 PM / Neal McCoy Sun. ~4:30 PM, Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 10–11 | Tickets
Location: Historic Town Square, 904 Ave. C, Katy
Description: The music side of Katy's signature fall festival – Lonestar closes out Saturday night and Neal McCoy anchors Sunday afternoon, all included with your festival admission.
Gov't Mule and Ziggy Marley – Dreaming The Same Dream Tour | Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Jam-rock powerhouse Gov't Mule and reggae royalty Ziggy Marley share one wonderfully eclectic bill. Come for the guitar solos, stay for the good vibes.
Tom Jones – Come Gather Round Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: The legendary Welsh voice behind "It's Not Unusual" makes a rare Texas stop. A Tom Jones show in Sugar Land? Now that's unusual.
Indigo Girls with Linda Perry | Thursday, Oct. 15 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: The Grammy-winning folk-rock duo brings their famous harmonies to Sugar Land, with songwriter Linda Perry as a special guest.
AB’s New British Invasion | Friday, Oct. 16 | Details
Location: Central Green at LaCenterra
Description: Coldplay, Oasis, Radiohead, and more of the UK rock anthems you've been belting in the car for decades, played live on the lawn. Bring a blanket, and maybe a "Wonderwall" warm-up.
Mon Laferte with Silvana Estrada – Femme Fatale Tour | Friday, Oct. 16 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Chilean chart-topper Mon Laferte headlines, with Mexican indie-folk favorite Silvana Estrada opening the night.
RAZA RAVE Houston | Friday, Oct. 16 | Tickets
Location: Home Run Dugout, 1220 Grand West Blvd, Katy
Description: Lasers, EDM, and Latin beats take over Katy's indoor entertainment spot for a full-on rave night.
A Girl Can’t Help It Journey Tribute | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Details
Location: Central Green at LaCenterra
Description: A free family night on the lawn with Journey's biggest hits. You already know which song they're saving for last, so don't stop believin' you'll get a good spot. Come early.
Kill Tony – Texas Massacre | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Tony Hinchcliffe's wildly popular live-podcast comedy show hits Sugar Land. Adult humor – definitely leave the kids at home for this one.
La Mafia | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Tickets
Location: Home Run Dugout, 1220 Grand West Blvd, Katy
Description: Houston-born Latin GRAMMY winners La Mafia bring decades of Tejano and cumbia hits to Katy. Bring your dancing shoes.
Undertale: The Determination Symphony | Sunday, Oct. 18 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: A full orchestra performs Toby Fox's beloved Undertale soundtrack live. A great night out for gamers and families alike.
REO Brothers | Sunday, Oct. 18 | Tickets
Location: Home Run Dugout, 1220 Grand West Blvd, Katy
Description: The Filipino sibling band famous for viral '60s and '70s covers – think Beatles, Bee Gees, and CCR – plays live in Katy. Expect a sing-along.
Community & Culture 🏛️
Brookshire National Night Out | 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 | Details
Location: 4029 5th Street, Brookshire
Description: Meet local first responders, tour their vehicles, and enjoy family-friendly activities at Brookshire's take on National Night Out. Food, face painting, balloon twisting, game truck, live DJ, and more.
National Night Out – Katy Police Department | 5:00–8:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 6 | Details
Location: Katy City Park, 5850 Franz Rd., Katy
Description: KPD's annual community night brings hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, a balloon artist, emergency-vehicle displays, and plenty of four-legged stars – K-9s Sky and Mac, plus Officer Hopps. Free and made for families.
National Night Out – Fulshear Police Department | 6:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 6 | Details
Location: Fulshear City Hall, 6611 W. Cross Creek Bend Blvd., Fulshear
Description: Fulshear's take on community-policing night – meet officers, tour police and fire vehicles, and say hi to K-9 Blu and mascot Sgt. McCann.
Katy Vibes Edutainment Series | 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7 | Details
Location: 24757 Katy Freeway, Katy
Description: Part wellness talk, part party: catch a noon presentation on healthy aging and injury prevention from Dr. Krizia Martinez of Sterling Physical Therapy & Wellness, then stick around for music bingo, trivia, and karaoke.
A Night in Paris: Central Green's Birthday Bash | 6:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, Oct. 10 | Details
Location: Central Green at LaCenterra
Description: Central Green transforms into Paris for one night to celebrate its 13th birthday, with live bands, an art show, and a fashion runway right on the lawn. Berets encouraged, not required.
Fulshear's Folly | 4:00–8:00 PM, Saturday, Oct. 10 | Details
Location: Fulshear Municipal Complex, 6611 W. Cross Creek Bend Blvd., Fulshear
Description: A revived Fulshear tradition returns with a fall concert, food and drinks, local vendors, and a kid-friendly activity area – a laid-back way to spend a Saturday evening just west of Katy.
Katy Rice Harvest Festival | Sat. 10:00 AM–10:00 PM / Sun. 12:00–6:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 10–11 | Tickets
Location: Historic Town Square, 904 Ave. C, Katy
Description: Katy's signature fall festival packs in 100-plus vendors, food trucks, live music, a carnival, a beer garden, the "Agventure" rice-heritage area, and a toddler zone – with proceeds going to local scholarships and charities.
Pick-A-Dilly Market & Pumpkin Patch | 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 | Details
Location: St. Peter's UMC Kingsland Campus, 20775 Kingsland Blvd, Katy
Description: One of Katy's biggest fall market days returns with 100+ vendors, a pumpkin patch, crafts, live music, and a food court. The first 300 shoppers get swag bags, so set that alarm.
Sports & Fitness 🏃
Katy ISD Varsity Football – Week 7 | Times vary, Thursday, Oct. 8 & Friday, Oct. 9 | Tickets
Location: Rhodes Stadium, Legacy Stadium, and away sites
Description: District 19-6A play rolls on with games split across Thursday and Friday – including the Katy Tigers at Morton Ranch at 7 p.m. Thursday. Check your school's kickoff time on Vanco before you head out.
Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon at Katy, TX | 8:00 AM, Saturday, Oct. 10 | Tickets
Location: Mason Creek Hike & Bike Trail, Katy, TX 77493
Description: A costume-friendly fall race with 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances – run for a medal, or just for the excuse to race in a costume.
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Recurring events have outgrown the weekly email, so they now live on their own page. See all 20 here
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 over 5k Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].