July 1

Jazz Thursday at The Rouxpour

Fire NR Bones, an innovative, low-volume jazz trio will entertain patrons of The Rouxpour from 6-9 p.m. The venue is fashioned after New Orleans’ historic French Quarter and works to provide a genuine NOLA atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Meal costs vary. 2643 Commercial Center Blvd. Ste. A300, Katy.

July 3

Freedom Parade, Festival & Movie Night

The Katy Heritage Society is hosting this event at Katy Heritage Park – 5990 George Bush Drive, Katy – from 6-10 p.m. on the first Saturday in July. The event will feature a parade of bikes, strollers and scooters decorated for our nation’s birthday. A petting zoo, face painting, snow cones, hot dogs and crafts will also be available. $5 admission.

Fulshear Freedom Fest

The city of Fulshear, Walmart and the Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting the 2021 Fulshear Freedom Fest. The event will feature a carnival with vendor booths and food trucks as well as live music from The Spazmatics, a Fulshear favorite for years now. The festivities will be held in front of Fulshear High School at 9302 Charger Way in Fulshear. Good times begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. after the fireworks show. www.fulshearkaty.com/events-calendar 

July 4

Katy Freedom Celebration

Step out for the city of Katy’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display starting at about 9 p.m. in the Katy Mills area between the mall and Typhoon Texas. While the city is not doing the regular parade and such due to ongoing community projects, fireworks are still on. Come out and celebrate. https://bit.ly/3qgECbI 

July 7

Transportation talk with Congressman Troy Nehls

The Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this event at Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in LaCenterra – 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Ste. Q100. Nehls, a freshman congressman who previously served as Fort Bend County Sheriff, will discuss the ins and outs of transportation in the area and how what happens in Washington D.C. impacts the Katy area. Tickets are $50 and include lunch. 832-600-3221. https://bit.ly/3xAfCyj 

July 8

Congressional Update with Troy Nehls

Join the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce for a discussion with Nehls focused on how Congress’s actions in the nation’s capital affect local residents and what he is doing during his first term in office. This event will be held at Perry’s Steakhouse – 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy – from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $50 for individuals. $500 for a corporate table of six. Sponsorships available. www.katychamber.com 

July 9

The Sammy Jo Band live at Baker Street Pub

Step out for some live music as The Sammy Jo Band takes the stage at Baker Street Pub in in LaCenterra at 23502 Cinco Ranch Blvd Ste. A150, Katy, TX 77494 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on a Friday night. Enjoy some classic pub grub while you listen to music spanning nearly the whole of the last century. A little 40’s big band here, some 80s pop hits there and a fun show all around. No cover. Drink specials available. Meal prices vary. https://bit.ly/3vDQC7X 

July 10

3 Doors Down and Seether, Live

Head to the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land for 3 Doors Down’s twentieth-anniversary celebration of their “The Better Life” album. The band will be playing the full album in its entirety along with many of their other hits. Seether will open for them as they tour to support their album “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” which was released last year. All ages show. 18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land. Doors open at 8 p.m. $30-432. Ticket prices subject to change. https://bit.ly/3gPTtFp 

July 10, 17, 24, 31

Shop the Shire

Head to downtown Brookshire each of the last four Saturdays in July for Shop the Shire. Hosted by the Bloomin’ 90 General Store at 3719 Hwy. 90 in Brookshire, this event features several vendors selling crafts, treats and a family-friendly farmers’ market. Join the fun from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday the market is open.

July 17

Katy Market Day

Step out for this summer’s round of Katy Market Day. This monthly farmers market features a variety of craft vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and a chance to support local businesses in Katy’s historic downtown. The market occurs on Second and Third streets and between avenues B and C in downtown, right by The Limited Edition Art & Antiques whose owner hosts the monthly craft fair. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. https://katymarketday.com/ 

Midsummer Festival

Head out to support local nonprofits at the first annual Midsummer Festival. The carnival features live music from Midnight Express, Tejano Music Award Winner Crystal Torres and led Zepagain – a Led Zeppelin tribute band from L.A. which Jimmy Page has called “as close as you’ll ever get to the real deal.” The event features food trucks, games, a kids’ zone, a fireworks show and other family-friendly activities. Proceeds benefit Christ Clinic, Compassion Katy, Hope Impacts, Katy Christian Ministries, the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston and The Ballard House. $10-$100. (See website for details.) 2-10 p.m. 700 Westgreen Blvd. www.midsummerfestkaty.com 

Adoptive Parent Training

Adoption Choices of Texas hosts this free online course to help hopeful parents figure out the path to adopting a child in the Lone Star State. The training takes an in-depth look at logistics, birth family relations, adoption counselor communication, hospital etiquette, newborn education, special needs children and children born with addictions as well as interracial adoptions. This event is free and runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. https://bit.ly/3vIxhTa 

July 29

Editor's note: The Impact of Learning Loss event listed below has been rescheduled by the Katy Area Chamber due to scheduling changes for panelists. It will now be held Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Impact of Learning Loss

Four education experts will come together to discuss the challenges facing students and the adults who help them with their educations after the learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this event featuring Neuhaus Education Center CEO Tracey Weeden, Katy ISD Chief Academic Officer Christine Caskey, Royal ISD Associate Superintendent Kendra Strange and Lamar Consolidated ISD Chief Academic Officer Terri Mossige. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Members $25. Nonmember $50. Sponsorships available. 814 East Ave., Ste. H, Katy. 281-391-5289. www.katychamber.com