A scam is targeting vendors signing up for the Katy Rice Harvest Festival. City of Katy officials say the only legitimate way to pay is through the Eventeny platform.
Katy officials identified the scheme the week of Sept. 1, according to Katy Magazine. Someone using a Gmail account and the name "Amanda Hatcher" has been sending fraudulent payment requests to prospective vendors. The city said no legitimate payment will ever come from another source.
It is unclear whether "Amanda Hatcher" is a real person. The city described the name as part of the fraudulent scheme.
The festival's official Facebook page also posted a public alert urging vendors to stay vigilant. Kaci Maris, the City of Katy's tourism and events coordinator, urged vendors and residents who receive a suspicious message to contact the city directly.
"Stay vigilant and help us spread the word to other vendors," Maris said.
It is not known whether any vendors have lost money or whether law enforcement is investigating the fraudulent requests.
The warning comes as vendor registration is open for the 2026 festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11, in historic downtown Katy. The lineup includes headliners Lonestar and Neal McCoy, along with Maverick Murphy, Christian Walker and Hayden Haddock.
The festival is presented by the City of Katy Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Rotary Club of Katy. All net proceeds go toward scholarships and community grants. In April, the Rotary Club of Katy awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 16 Katy ISD Class of 2026 graduates.
Registration is also open for the annual festival parade, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m. in downtown Katy. The $25 entry fee benefits the Katy Rotary Fund, which supports local grants and scholarships.
What's ahead
- Oct. 3 — Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade, 9 a.m., downtown Katy
- Oct. 10–11 — Katy Rice Harvest Festival, Historic Town Square
