Attendees at Saturday’s first Katy Exchange market day in the City of Katy’s historic downtown square were able to view the city’s new visitors center at 5718 Second Street, which is expected to open in early summer.

Plans for the remodeling of the Katy Visitors Center, along with the installation of permanent exhibits, were originally unveiled at the April 22, 2024, meeting of the Katy City Council.

A 136” interactive touch screen will enable residents and visitors to drill down and zoom in on information on how to live, work and play in Katy. The screen will also feature a map, along with information about upcoming events and area schools. Two virtual characters who have lived in Katy all their lives – one a student and one a retired person – will also interact with visitors, according to information originally presented last year by Associate Vice President and Creative Director Chris Frison of DG Studios, which won the bid to redesign the center. Themed racks for informational brochures will be installed along the walls near the screen. The updated center will have a kids’ zone depicting the area’s industries of rice farming, oil and gas and the railroad. A large history wall will detail Katy’s agricultural heritage as well.

During the Katy Exchange event, festivalgoers were able to ride the city’s new trolley, which ran between the downtown square and the historic homes located in Katy Heritage Park. Attendees could also ride a trackless train which ran along the sidewalks at the square.

Before the event came to a close, city officials, in cooperation with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, awarded a portion of the event’s proceeds to two area nonprofits. The local chapter of the VFW and the PTSD Foundation of America, which operated Camp Hope for veterans recovering from the trauma of combat, each received $2000.00.