In the city of Minneapolis, there’s a fun and quirky tradition that’s captured the hearts of many people. What started as a simple joke by a local resident has grown into a beloved annual event.
Welcome to the Minnesota Cat Tour, where people celebrate their love for cats and their community. Let’s dive into how this amazing event all began and how it has become such a big deal.
The Birth of a Unique Tradition
The Minnesota Cat Tour started back in 2017, thanks to a Minneapolis resident named John Edwards. John loves cats and has a great sense of humor.
While walking around his neighborhood, known for its old and charming buildings, he noticed many cats lounging in the windows of these historic homes. John thought, “Why not mix my love for cats with my interest in old buildings?”
John decided to turn his idea into something fun. “I thought it would be amusing to have a tour for the cats,” he says. “Just like the historic home tours in our neighborhood, but instead of looking at houses, we’d look for cats!”
What began as a light-hearted joke became a small neighborhood walk where people could enjoy spotting cats in their windows.
At first, the Cat Tour was quite small, with only about 20 people joining in. There were no planned stops or pre-registered cats; it was all about seeing whatever cats happened to be out and about that day.
Unexpected Growth and Popularity
Things really took off for the Cat Tour in 2019. John recalls, “That year, we had a huge turnout with hundreds of people coming to join the fun.”
The event started to get a lot of attention from local news and social media. It was featured on morning shows and in news articles, which helped spread the word.
By 2024, the Minnesota Cat Tour had grown so much that over 500 people came to check out 20 different stops throughout the neighborhood.
John is amazed at how popular the event has become. “Even though it started as a joke, it’s turned into something that everyone looks forward to,” he says.
The Magic of Community and Engagement
The Cat Tour isn’t just about walking around and looking at cats. John believes it’s also a wonderful way for the community to come together. “It’s special because it brings people out of their homes to enjoy the neighborhood as a group,” he explains.
The tour also helps address local issues. For example, this year, the event highlighted some street repairs that needed attention and encouraged residents to support improvements in the area.
The Ripple Effect and Future Prospects
As the Cat Tour’s fame spread, other cities started taking notice. John has received many messages from people in different cities who want to start their own cat tours.
“It’s exciting to see others want to do something similar,” he says. “But I hope Minneapolis will always be the original place where it all started.”
Planning is already underway for the 2025 Wedge LIVE Cat Tour. John and his team are busy setting dates, planning details, and even choosing a grand marshal for the event. “I’m confident people will show up,” John says. “But we do hope enough cats will participate. It’s always a bit of a worry!”
John is looking forward to the next Cat Tour and is excited to see how it will continue to grow. “Every year, it gets bigger and more enthusiastic. It’s become a special tradition, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
What do you think makes the Minnesota Cat Tour so special? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to tell your friends and family about this unique event!
