Oct. 1
Katy Rice Festival Parade

Katy’s Rice Festival kicks off with the Katy Rice Festival Parade. The lineup starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Katy Church of Christ parking lot, 5458 E. 5th St. The parade begins by heading east on 5^th Street, then turns south on Avenue A, then east on 2^nd Street, then north on Avenue C.

Oct. 2
Ferocious Fours at MKT Distillery

MKT is celebrating its “ferocious four birthday” with a bit of fun, food, a bounce house, and music while it celebrates four years in business. The singer Coleton Black will perform.

The anniversary party is from 2-10 p.m. at MKT Distillery, 5373 1^st St. For more information, call 833-658-1870.

Oct. 4
National Night Out

Texas communities celebrate National Night Out in October, instead of August everywhere else, to avoid the summer heat. The event is a community-building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and encourage neighborhood camaraderie. Specific activities vary by community. For more information, contact your local police department.

Oct. 6
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Dr. Jessica Suarez Colen of the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center will be the featured speaker at the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.

The meeting is set for 7:30 a.m. at the chamber headquarters, 814 East Ave., Ste. G. For more information and to RSVP, call 281-391-7423.

Oct. 7
17^th Annual Katy Wine Fest

Join the Cinco Ranch Rotary for wine tasting, live musical entertainment and live and silent auctions at the Katy Wine Fest.

The event is from 7-10 p.m. at the Palacio Maria Banquet Hall, 21718 Highland Knolls Dr. Proceeds benefit the Brookwood Community and other select Katy-area charities.

The event, now in its 17th year, will highlight a wide variety of Italian wines as well as one from across the Lone Star State, including local wineries in and around the Katy area.

Tickets start at $30. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website katywinefest.com.

Oct. 7-9
Katy Rice Festival

The annual Katy Rice Festival takes place between 1st Street and 4th Street and Avenue A and Avenue D. Tickets are $10, with free admission for children 12 years of age and under.

Free parking is available at the Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Dr. A free shuttle service will take people from the Merrell Center to and from the festival.

Festivities are from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 8, and 12-6 p.m. Oct. 9. For more information, visit the website katyricefestival.com.

Oct. 11
Last day to register to vote

Voters will elect Texas state officials, as well as elect various local officials and decide ballot issues. To register to vote, visit the Secretary of State website, votetexas.org.

Oct. 12
Katy Homecoming Jesse Peyton and Friends

Former Taylor High School’s very own Jesse Peyton performs with friends at MKT Distillery.

Joining Jesse are Barry Laminack and Rich Williams. Laminack has opened for George Wallace, Gilbert Gottfried, the late great John Witherspoon, Damon Wayans, Big Jay Oakerson, Chris Porter, and Erik Griffin (among others). Williams has opened for Arsenio Hall, Snoop Dogg, Lady A (Formerly Lady Antebellum), Hannibal Buress, and Rob Schneider.

The show is at 7 p.m. at MKT Distillery, 5373 1^st St. Tickets are $20. For more information, call 833-658-1870.

Oct. 19
Networking Vibes

A networking event sponsored by the Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and Katy Business Association. One does not have to be a member to attend. The event is from 5-7 p.m. at Katy Vibes, 24757 Katy Fwy.

Oct. 22
Katy Market Day

The monthly Katy Market Day features vendors, a food truck, beer garden, entertainment, and inflatable attractions for children's entertainment. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in historic Downtown Katy. For more information, call Betsy Proctor at 281-391-1993.

Oct. 22
Katy Vintage Carnival

The Katy Heritage Society hosts its annual vintage carnival following Katy Market Day. The carnival is set for 4-7 p.m. at Katy Heritage Park, 5990 George Bush Dr. The carnival features food, vintage carnival games and other festivities.

Presale discount tickets are available online the society’s website, katyheritagesociety.org.

Oct. 24
First day of early voting

Texas voters will make their choices in several statewide races, such as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, among others. In addition to these races, Katy ISD voters will either ratify or reject a property tax rate. Royal ISD voters will choose trustees to serve on that school board.

Oct. 27
Silent Witness/A Night to Remember

Each year, the Crisis Center team at Katy Christian Ministries provides a program to remember those lost to domestic violence. The event is at 6 p.m. at Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway South. Dinner is provided and RSVPs are required. For more information, contact KCM at 281-391-5261.

Oct. 27
Chamber of Commerce Halloween Party

Join the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce at this “ghoulish” networking party, which is set for 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Dignity Memorial/Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, contact the chamber at 281-391-7423.”

Oct. 29
Howl-o-Ween

Families and their pets can expect a boo-tiful morning at Katy Dog Park.

The event features a dog costume contest, with awards and prizes for best group costume, yummiest costume, and most creative costume. Small monetary or pet food donations are being sought for local shelters.

The event is from 9-11 a.m. at the Katy Dog Park, 5414 Franz Road. For more information, contact the Katy Parks Department at 281-391-4840.

Oct. 29
Houston Family Fun Fest

Activity and food vendors, arts and crafts, door prizes, face painting, live music, and a rock wall are among the attractions at the Houston Family Fun Fest.

The event is free and is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 29 in Heritage Square at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch. For more information about Houston Family Magazine, visit the website at houstonfamilymagazine.com.