The Old Katy Farmers Market operates at The Dryer, a property steeped in Texas agricultural history. The landmark began life in 1943 when J.V. Cardiff & Sons built the first concrete rice dryer in Texas, facing U.S. Highway 90. By 1945, business was thriving, and the Cardiffs built a second dryer with twice the capacity. In 1966, they hired the Borton Company from Hutchinson, Kansas, to construct what would become the tallest rice dryer in the country at 177 feet—a structure that remains the tallest building in Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg to this day. Rice production ended in 1987, and the property sat neglected for decades.

In 2021, a local developer in Katy purchased the property and began collaborating with the Katy Heritage Society, the oldest nonprofit organization in Katy, to restore and reimagine this historic landmark as a vibrant community gathering space. The Old Katy Farmers Market is part of that broader vision of bringing new life to the historic Katy Rice Dryer.

The mission is simple and profound: to be a "traditional farmers market" that brings back the old-fashioned values of fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, and baked goods—all locally grown, wholesome, fresh, and organic. The market was inspired by the desire to honor Katy's agricultural heritage while giving residents direct access to the best of what local farmers and artisans produce.

The Old Katy Farmers Market offers a weekly Saturday farmers market every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. The market hosts approximately 50 vendor booths per event, featuring a curated selection of more than 20 farm-to-table vendors, including produce growers, bakeries, specialty food makers, and artisans.

Historic landmark venue — The market operates at The Dryer, a 177-foot concrete rice dryer built in 1966 that is still the tallest structure in Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg. The market is not just a collection of vendor booths—it is part of a larger entertainment complex that includes a 35,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor beer garden, food trucks rotating every two weeks, yoga events, cornhole tournaments, and the Katy Train Ride. The market takes place at the base of a building that once dried the rice that fed the world.

Curated vendor diversity — The market hosts a rotating roster of more than 20 local vendors spanning farms, bakeries, specialty food makers, artisans, and crafters. Each vendor is unique, including Thomas Cattle (rancher), Bluebonnet Sourdough (artisan bread), Space City Pickles (pickled goods), Hive Honey, and Papa G's (seasoning rubs).

Weekly community gathering: Every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the market serves as a weekly social and culinary gathering for Katy residents and visitors.

Support for local farmers and artisans: By providing affordable booth space, the market enables small-scale farmers, ranchers, bakers, and artisans to reach customers directly without the overhead of a permanent retail space.

Direct farm-to-table access: Residents gain access to fresh, locally grown produce they might not otherwise find, supporting the local agricultural economy.

Vendor community building: The market's 50+ vendors build relationships with one another and with the same regular customers week after week, creating a sense of community that extends beyond the transaction.

Partnership with the Katy Heritage Society: The market is part of a broader mission to preserve and celebrate the history and heritage of Old Katy. The Katy Rice Dryer Museum is planned for 2027, and the market serves as one of the living expressions of that effort.

Wheelchair accessible: The market ensures all community members can participate.

Rain or shine: The market operates regardless of the weather, demonstrating its commitment to consistent community service.

Events and programming: The venue hosts movie nights, karaoke nights, cornhole tournaments, kids' markets, Silo Sunrise Flow Yoga, and other community events that bring people together beyond the market itself.

Seasonal produce availability: Local farms operate on natural growing cycles, and vendors like Pavlock Farm come and go with the seasons. The market must adapt its offerings and vendor roster throughout the year while maintaining consistent quality and variety for shoppers.

Reviving a historic landmark: The market is part of a decades-long effort to bring life back to a property that sat neglected and unused after rice production ended in 1987. The Dryer property transferred ownership multiple times without ever seeing significant development until a local developer and the Katy Heritage Society committed to its restoration in 2021. The farmers market is one of several pillars of that vision, alongside the beer garden, food trucks, yoga programming, and the upcoming museum.

Growth result: Through a commitment to quality and a vision for community, the market has grown into a beloved weekly Katy tradition with a consistent Saturday following, a 4.4-star Google Maps rating, more than 50 active vendors, and a central role in a growing entertainment and community complex.

The vision is to continue growing the Saturday farmers market into an even richer community destination while honoring the agricultural roots of Old Katy. The biggest milestone on the horizon is the opening of the Katy Rice Dryer Museum in 2027—a heritage-rich museum located at the base of the 177-foot rice dryer, featuring vintage artifacts, photographs, and tributes to the local families who built this area. Schools, clubs, and community groups will be able to arrange special tours. The museum is a cooperative project between The Dryer and the Katy Heritage Society, preserving the history the farmers market celebrates every Saturday morning.

The market itself continues to grow, and the team is always looking for new farmers, growers, bakers, butchers, and artisans to join the roster. The venue also plans to open a Katy Food Court and café/bakery on-site, adding even more food options for market visitors. As the beer garden, food truck park, yoga programming, and other events continue to thrive, the market sits at the heart of a growing community destination that will only become more beloved.

The mission is simple: keep bringing people together around fresh, local, and wholesome food in a space that tells the story of Katy's agricultural past while celebrating its vibrant present and future.

Choose quality over convenience. When you shop at the Old Katy Farmers Market, you are not just getting the freshest possible produce—you are investing in your own health, supporting the local economy, encouraging sustainable farming practices, and building relationships with the people who grow your food. Visit every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Business Name: Old Katy Farmers Market at The Dryer

Address: 5339 E. Third St., Katy, TX 77493

Phone: (346) 646-1234

Website: TheDryerKaty.com

Instagram: @oldkatyfarmersmarket

Facebook: facebook.com/OldKatyFarmersMarket

Hours: Every Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine)