EDITOR’S NOTE: Our original story published on February 6 erroneously stated that there would be a carnival at the Katy Rodeo. The Katy Rodeo has informed us that there will be no carnival this year, and we have updated our story. The Times regrets the error.

It’s been a Katy tradition since 1943.

The Katy Rodeo and its partner organization, the Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show, are set for next week at the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center (YASC), 5801 Katy Fort Bend Cut-Off Rd. in Katy. The annual parade will take place on Saturday, February 15, starting at 9:30 a.m.

The Katy ISD Livestock Show kicks off on Tuesday, February 11, with a grand opening at 10 a.m., followed by the Best Buddies Grand Drive, the Special Rodeo and the Broiler Show. Wednesday brings the floral show, horticultural show and the rabbit show.

On Thursday, the livestock show continues, with the goat show, lamb show, agricultural mechanics show and art show awards. The first rodeo performance, in the “ Billy” Morgan Arena, is Thursday night at 7 p.m.; the concessions open at that time as well. Friday is the swine show and steer show, with the rodeo at 7 p.m.

The parade – themed “Deep in the Heart of Katy” – starts Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Glenn Beckendorff will serve as parade marshal. There is no charge to participate in the parade, but pre-registration is required. Registration is open until Wednesday, February 12. To register, go to katyrodeo.org/blank-4 . The parade is a community and family-friendly event. As such all entries should avoid controversial advertisements and inappropriate behavior and/or music selections, according to the rodeo website. All entries will be screened to ensure compliance with Katy ISD policies regarding prohibited items such as tobacco, alcohol, firearms, and drug products.

The parade starts at Legacy Stadium, turns south on Katyland drive, west on Highway Blvd. to FM 1463 and ends at the Leonard Merrell Center at 6301 S. Stadium Lane in Katy.

Back at the YASC, Saturday will feature the Parade of Champions & Reserves at 6:30 p.m. followed by the final rodeo performance at 7 p.m.

To ensure visitor safety, along with quick and efficient entry into the event venues, Katy ISD has instituted a clear bag regulation, limit the size and type of bag allowed at performances held at the Katy

ISD Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Agricultural Sciences Center. While Katy ISD encourages visitors not to bring bags if possible, the following types of bags are permissible:

· Clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC bags

· Clear, plastic, one-gallon, re-sealable, Ziploc-style bags

· Clutch bags approximately the size of a hand ( 4 ½” X 6 ½" )

· Medically necessary items

Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo Association, Inc. (KFLSRA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation consisting of Katy area business leaders, current and former FFA parents, according to the organization’s website. The rodeo supports agricultural education within KISD and is held in conjunction with the school district's annual FFA livestock show. Other organizations which support the event are the Lions Club, which operates the carnival; Knights of Columbus, which runs the concession stands; the VFW which handles the ticket stands; and parade volunteers.

The 2024 KISD FFA Livestock Show brought in approximately $985,003.00 and consisted of 575 exhibitors, according to the district’s website.