Free community events—from farmers markets to themed festivals—have been emphasized across the Lake Houston area over the last year to stir up economic activity, local stakeholders said.
The overview
On Jan. 1, the Kingwood Farmers Market relaunched under new management—family-owned company JG Events, which acquired the Lake Houston Farmers Market in early 2025. Krystal Wertman, who owns JG Events with her husband, Timothy Wertman, said they want to expand and refresh the markets.
“We want to bring people … here and keep our money local here in Humble and support our local farmers,” Krystal Wertman said.
In late 2024, JG Events also took over management of Kingwood Town Center’s annual heritage events, such as Christmas in the Park and the Mardi Gras Festival.
In Humble, city officials have partnered with local businesses to host a new monthly Sip & Shop event and a quarterly Kids Day in the Park event. Humble Civic Center Director Jennifer Wooden, who organizes many of the events, said the city and the volunteers want to “breathe life back into our downtown.”
“For us, the growth really is coming from events, and it is what draws tourists to Humble,” Wooden said.
Kids Day in the Park: Launched by the city of Humble in May 2025, families can enjoy activities, food and music outdoors.When: quarterlyWhere: Uptown Park, 310 E. Main St., Humble 
The city of Humble launched its first Kids Day in the Park event in May 2025. (Courtesy Darian Ortiz)Sip & Shop: Launched by the city of Humble in February 2025, attendees can support local businesses while sipping a beverage.When: monthly on the second FridayWhere: Uptown Park, 310 E. Main St., Humbl Kingwood Farmers Market: JG Events took over the farmers market Jan. 1.When: weekly on Thursdays, monthly on the first SundayWhere: Town Center Park, 2814 E. Town Center Circle, Kingwood
On Jan. 1, JG Events launched its first Kingwood Farmers Market after assuming management of the events. (Courtesy Kingwood Farmers Market)Lake Houston Farmers Market: JG Events acquired the farmers markets in early 2025.When: (A) weekly on Saturdays, (B) semi-monthly on the second and fourth SundayWhere: (A ) Bel Furniture, 20450 Hwy. 59, Humble; (B) Walden on Lake Houston Golf & Country Club, 18100 Walden Forest Drive, Atascocita
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A closer look
Wooden said some of the new events have sprung from local business owners’ and residents’ involvement.
Local business owner Darian Ortiz said she concocted Kids Day in the Park to draw more people to Downtown Humble after she opened her store, The Rowdy Chick, nearby in January 2025. Ortiz also operates as an event vendor.
Vendors at the Lake Houston-area events offer a variety of products, including:
The Rowdy Chick, a Sip & Shop vendor, offers women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories.The Hidden Chapter, a Sip & Shop vendor, offers blind date with a book/puzzle (mystery activity packages).Sweet Wing Gardens, a Kingwood Farmers Market vendor, offers fresh raw honey, beeswax soaps and lip balms and honey infusions, as well as beekeeping demonstrations.My Grand Bites, a Lake Houston Farmers Market vendor, offers cookies, chocolate-covered Oreos and brownies.Something to note
Assuming responsibility for established events has presented some challenges along the way, Krystal Wertman said. During JG Events’ first Fourth of July event in Kingwood, attendees reported difficulty viewing the fireworks.
Krystal Wertman said she has been working to ensure the next event goes smoothly.
Nicole Jaimes, the marketing/operations director for Chachi’s Mexican Restaurant in Kingwood Town Center, said some of new management’s changes for the events have been frustrating. For example, Jaimes said she takes issue with JG Events charging vendors 20% of alcohol sales, plus an event fee. Event goers have also taken up local businesses’ parking lots, she said.
Vendor charges help JG Events cover the cost of event insurance, permits, staffing and more, the Wertmans said in a Feb. 6 email statement. They said they are working on improving event parking.
Quotes of note
“It’s really important for … the community to get together and really get to know your neighbor. But [also] get to know what’s going on in the community,” Ortiz said.“The money that is spent at farmers markets ends up being put … back into the community. It really benefits everybody that way. Also, you know what you’re [buying],” said Zac Stayton, owner of Sweet Wing Gardens.Fun for the family
The Wertmans said they are brimming with new event ideas they hope to debut soon in the local area. Plans include a spicy food festival in Kingwood, with the date to be determined.
“The community itself really appreciates the family-friendly events that we put on so they can come out and do something that’s affordable,” Timothy Wertman said.
Stayton—owner of honey shop Sweet Wing Gardens, a new vendor at the Kingwood Farmers Market—said he feels JG Events has done a good job of creating new interest in the markets and events.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Humble city events are largely focused on continually improving their new events, including a new Flower Fest that will debut in April, Ortiz said.
“The events have been the spark for growth in our downtown along with so many improvements that the city has really invested in,” Wooden said.
Upcoming annual events, include:
City of Humble/Visit HumbleMarch 27: Adult Easter Egg HuntApril 11: Inaugural Flower FestOct. 10: Good Oil DaysEarly December: Christmas Parade of Lights (exact date TBD)JG EventsMarch 28: Kingwood Easter in the ParkApril 25: Anime Foodie FestivalJuly 4: Fourth of July FestivalOctober: Bark in the Park (exact date TBD)Oct. 10: In a Pickle FestivalDec. 5: Christmas in the Park