The context
This city-run event series comes after long-running event Katy Market Day held its last market Dec. 7. The semi-monthly market, hosted by downtown business owner Betsy Proctor, showcased local vendors for roughly three decades.
The market’s end came after Proctor’s application to close downtown streets for her 2025 markets wasn’t considered on Katy City Council's agenda, Proctor previously said. Katy Market Day ran monthly from March to November, with a special Christmas event in December.
The details
The Katy Exchange will host six events between March and December, per the release. Visitors can shop local artisans, vendors and craftsmen at the free event.
“With 2025 being a year full of exciting developments, including the final projects of our downtown revitalization, we’re looking forward to the enhanced experiences that will make our Historic Downtown Square the heart of Katy,” Mayor Dusty Thiele said in the release.
All proceeds from The Katy Exchange will go to a nonprofit organization, with the first March market benefiting the Katy VFW Post 9182 and Camp Hope’s PTSD Foundation of America, according to the release.
Proceeds will come from sponsorship payments and vendor participation fees, which are priced at $20 for young entrepreneurs and $40 for other vendors, Kaci Maris, Katy’s tourism and marketing event coordinator, said in an email.
What else?
In addition to The Katy Exchange, city officials launched social media pages Jan. 3 that officials said will bring awareness to other planned events in downtown Katy. The pages on Facebook and Instagram—called the City of Katy Historic Town Square—will promote the area’s history, businesses and future events in the square, per the release.
The pages will also showcase ongoing renovations in downtown Katy, according to the release.
Stay tuned
Officials said upcoming projects coming to downtown include:
- A sculpture at the corner of Avenue C and Second Street
- An interactive exhibit at the future Katy Visitor Center
