Message from Rice Festival Chairman.
77th Annual Rice Festival
The 2023 Rice Festival:
October 19th through October 22nd.

Festival is held at the
Matagorda County Fairgrounds
Nichols FM 2668
Bay City, TX

Wristbands Thursday, Friday & Sunday: $25
Saturday Wristbands: $30

Gate Fee Thursday, Friday & Sunday $5
Gate Fee: $10 All day Saturday

Free parking all around the fairgrounds.
$20 VIP parking passes available.
Red and Green Cover page with Rice Festival Attractions List
Pageant Organization Packets 2023
Parade Entry Form 2023
Rice Festival Parade
Saturday Oct. 21, 2023 at 10 AM

Call: 979-241-2300
For More Information
Rice Dish Round-Up
Rice Dish Round-Up

Tuesday, October 17th, 2023

Interested parties should contact the Matagorda County Extension Office at (979) 245-4100.
77th Annual Rice Dish Roundup
Event Information and Qualifications
Rice Dish Round – Up is sponsored by Bay City Lions Club with Wayne Witte as 2023 Chairman. The contest is coordinated by the Matagorda County Extension Office. Each year dozens of students and adults submit their favorite rice recipes to be judged by a panel of volunteers. The judges taste each recipe and rank them according to taste and flavor, texture, suitability of recipe, appropriateness, and attractiveness of the display. The purpose of this activity is to teach new and different ways to prepare rice dishes, teach economy in meal planning, offer ways to extend dishes by using rice, promote the value of rice in the county’s agricultural program and provide leadership and recognition to the county’s youth and adults. The contest features various rice dish entry categories including Main Dish, Bread, Side Dish, Snack or Appetizer, and Dessert. The contestants are grouped according to age as Juniors (Students in grades 1-5),Intermediates (Grades 6-8), Seniors (Grades 9-12) and Adults. Both adults and youth alike are encouraged to find interesting dishes to enter in the annual contest. The dishes will be brought to the Multi-Purpose Building on Tuesday October 17, 2023 between 9:00A.M. and 10:30 A.M. No Visitors are allowed in the building during judging. The dishes may be viewed by the public from 3:30 P.M. until 4:30 P.M. Ribbons and prizes are awarded at 4:30 P.M. Each grand champion winner in each grade level receives a free armband for use at the Rice Festival Carnival, award ribbons and other award items. The Bay City Lions Club is very happy to sponsor and support this valuable learning contest. We appreciate the hard work done by the Matagorda County Extension Staff and other volunteers who help conduct the contest, A cookbook containing a copy of each recipe submitted to the Rice Dish Round- Up, may be purchased through the Matagorda County Extension Office. Interested parties should contact the Matagorda County Extension Office at (979) 245-4100.

2022 Rice Dish Round-Up Winners

Annual Queens Pageant
Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at 7 PM

The deadline for submitting entries for the contest is Wednesday, September 27th. All pictures must be taken by Memories By Michelle BEFORE SEPTMEBER 27TH!
Event Information and Qualifications
The contestant must be a single female, not have been married or had a marriage annulled, had no children, and must remain single during her reign or forfeit her crown.
The contestant must be a full time high school senior, must be younger than 21 years old, as of October 1st, of the pageant year (2023) and must be a resident of Matagorda County or attend high school in Matagorda County.
The contestant must have a sponsor. The sponsor may be a civic club, non-profit organization, business or individual.
A completed Entry Form with the entry fee and required photos must be received on or before Wednesday, September 14th. Entry fee: $225 (payable to the Bay City Lions Club)A 5"x 8" Bio/Introduction Card typed in a 14 (or larger) font for the MC must also be included with Entry Form. Information should include name, parents, sponsor, school, hobbies, clubs & organizations, special awards, future plans. This should be written in third person and not exceed 100 words.
Photos required - two (2) of the same, 4" x 6" vertical (black and white or color, glossy head and shoulders or bust only - no profiles). All pictures must be taken by Memories by Michelle (979-557-3511) before Wednesday, September 14th!The contestant must be of good moral character and never have been convicted of any crime, with the exception of Class C traffic offense.
If the contestant violates the Controlled Substance Penal Code Act, she will be disqualified from this contest.
It must be understood that there will be no financial remuneration for transportation expenses to and from Bay City.
Former Bay City Lions Club Rice Festival Queens and Contestants are ineligible.
The contestant must attend all functions that are listed or required on an information sheet to be provided to all contestants.
It is required that the contestant ride in transportation provided for her in the Bay City Lions Club Rice Festival Parade, on the following Saturday.
The contestant that is crowned Queen of the Bay City Lions Rice Festival must be available to attend any public event or festivities to represent the Bay City Lions Club during the year that the Club deems necessary.
Fundraiser Car Show
Saturday, October 21st, 2023 at 12 PM

Registration Fee: $20

Free with Parade Participation

Judging Begins 2 pm- 4 pm

Call: 979-241-2526
For More Information
Lions Club Car Show Thumbnail

Sponsors

Platinum

Wal-Mart
STP
HEB
TDECU
Memories By Michelle

Gold

OQ Chemicals
United Rentals
Bay City Tribune
Matagorda Regional Medical Center
Jackson Electric
State Farm Justin Rhodes
KMKS 102.5
KKHA 92.5
Crestwood Tres Palacios Gas Company
LyondellBasell
Bay City Floral
Dunn Heat Exchange
Rio Colorado Golf
Tenaris
Sparklight

Silver

Bay City CDC
McCoy's
Custom Auto Refinishers
KM&L
Edward Jones - John Dickerson
Janet and Scott Peden
Bay Cel Credit Union
The Wireless Store - Mike Spillers
First State Bank
New Beginnings Bridal
Green Brothers Jewelry
Bay City Academy of Performing Arts
BCHS Choir
McAda Drilling Fluids
Tim Bell/ Bill Bell Reality
CM Autoglass
Shoppa's
IBC Bank
Capital Farm Credit
Admiral Title
New Beginning Bridal