A community favorite – and a continuation of Katy’s proud agricultural heritage -- returns on February 12 – when the Katy Rodeo returns, celebrating over 82 years.

Held at the Billy Morgan Rodeo Arena at 5801 Katy Hockley Cutoff Road in Katy February 12 through 14, the Rodeo operates in partnership with Katy ISD’s Livestock Show, although the two are separate entities.

“KISD is the local entity that manages the school system and owns the grounds that the Ag Facility sits on off of Katy Hockley Cutoff,” said Rodeo President Gary Johnson in an email interview with the Katy Times. “They produce and manage the Livestock Show each year where the students show their animals. They are also in charge of the livestock auction, and those proceeds go to the students for their animal. The Katy FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo association is a 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit that produces the Rodeo each year. The proceeds from the Rodeo each year are donated from the Committee back to the activity fund of all school FFA chapters where they can use that money to further the development of the students through conference attendance, competitions, and many other activities. Over the past 22 years we have donated back to KISD FFA over $1.2 million. We have a great relationship with KISD and work to keep up the facilities and make the whole event successful.”

The Rodeo will have all the normal events as in past years, but there will not be a carnival this year, Johnson said. The events begin at 7 p.m. each night, with concessions available. A crowd favorite, the stick horse races occur nightly. Participants aged three to eight are welcome to bring their own stick horses to race or may choose the option of purchasing a horse at the gate.

“The horses sold at the gate are made every year by our KISD HS FFA student body and are each as unique as the students who make them and the children who ride them; they typically retail for a approx. $5-$10,” Johnson said.

Mutton busting is always a big event, and entries will be accepted on January 31, at noon at the Arena. “There is normally a long line so come early to have a chance for a spot as they are limited,” Johnson said. “There is also a junior barrel racing event along with ever popular calf scramble for the FFA students. More information on all events is available on the Rodeo’s website at https://www.katyrodeo.org.

Friday night is “Pink Night,” according to the Rodeo website.

New at the rodeo this year is a “ranch bronc” event on Saturday, February 14, Johnson said. The Ranch Rodeo is a demonstration event of how a real ranch cowboy works cattle for branding and doctoring, according to the rodeo website. It is a free event open to the public, starting around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“We also will have a 50/50 raffle each night where the proceeds are split between one ticket holder and the committee,” Johnson said. “We are working the theme night, but our intention is to donate the committee portion monies to MDA, Guardian Grounds Ranch, a first responder recovery facility, and the Waller County 4-H. Tickets will be sold nightly with a winner drawn each night.”

Other events are taking place the weekend before the Rodeo. On February 7-8 there will be KISD alumni team roping, alumni barrel racing, and an open barrel racing. Entry is free for those events and concessions will be available. Tickets can be bought online through the Katyrodeo.org website on the ticket page.

The Katy Rodeo also has a scholarship program with scholarship presentations done over 15 years. “Each year in the past there were two students who received the scholarships,” Johnson said. “Last year we added an additional two scholarships to make four total. They were each $1000; this year we have increased the awards to $2000 each for the selected students. The scholarship applications are managed through KISD, and the Rodeo Committee has a selection panel that conducts the process to choose the recipients. They are awarded over the nights of the rodeo.”

Sponsors for the rodeo include main sponsors ACE Hardware, Accurate Meter, McCain Power Systems, and this year a new sponsor, TMI Transportation.