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Visitors will be able to spot cats peering through windows, lounging in their yards, or doing cat things on their own cat time.
Visitors will be able to spot cats peering through windows, lounging in their yards, or doing cat things on their own cat time.
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Visitors will be able to spot cats peering through windows, lounging in their yards, or doing cat things on their own cat time.
Cat, art, and food lovers are expected to descend upon Fernwood this weekend for a fun, family-friendly feline celebration, a look at a painting or two, and some tasty, fresh strawberries.
The Fernwood Cat Walk and Fernwood Art Stroll overlap on Saturday with another great reason to head to the neighbourhood east of Cook—the two-day Ichigo Strawberry Market, which will feature a truckload of fresh Saanich strawberries, 30 chefs, 130 artists, and a celebration of Japanese culture.
"We saw a massive age range and all demographics last year,” says Jessica Girard, one of the Fernwood Cat Walk organizers. “A lot of people who were already out for a walk joined the crowd, and neighbours came out to say hello or show off their cats, too.”
The Fernwood Cat Walk was adopted last year from an event held in Minneapolis, where people walk through a neighbourhood to meet or at least catch a glimpse of lounging cats—sometimes you can pet them, sometimes you have to keep your distance—and it began as a lark.
“I was like, honestly, if like 40 or 50 people want to come out and look at cats with us, hilarious. I love it; let's do it for a laugh," Girard says.
More than 10 times that many showed up.
So what kind of people take an afternoon to meet other people’s cats?
“All sorts of people,” Girard says. “Families, looking for a fun day out. Cat people, animal lovers, and people passing by love to join in as well. People who think they like cats, but from a distance; people who are allergic to cats but still love them.”
Organizers have lined up 41 cats at 29 cat stops throughout the neighbourhood. Visitors will be able to spot them peering through windows, lounging in their yards, or doing cat things on their own cat time.
“We had a very good turnout last year with most cats sticking it out for the two hours,” Girard says, adding there’s always the chance to see some bonus cats.
“What I find is it’s like, ‘Oh, there's another cat in that window. Did you see that cat?’”
How to find Fernwood’s cats
Volunteer cat herders will be stationed throughout the route to guide people and help with any necessary cat etiquette. Each stop will feature a QR code so passers-through can vote for their favourite, with proceeds in support of the Victoria Humane Society, which will be on-site with adoptable kittens.
The self-guided tour runs from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, and participants can meet at Little Fernwood at 1pm to get into the cat mood with other cat people—and pick up their maps.
Fernwood Art Stroll
Maps are also needed for the Fernwood Art Stroll, which takes place both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
The art stroll was established more than two decades ago by artists and artisans from the Fernwood and Oaklands neighbourhoods, inviting the public into their studios to view their work. Many artists will be displaying their works outside. There are five crossover cat stops featuring both artists and feline residents.
Strawberry Ichigo Festival
The strawberry festival runs from 11am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday at the Fernwood Community Centre, with new vendors each day.
Organizers invite everyone to play traditional games from Japan, visit the Chado Tea Ceremony Group serving fresh Ichigo Daifuku and tea, sing karaoke, build a terrarium, and dress up to win prizes.
While both strolls are free, the strawberry festival has a $4 admission charge for adults, with kids’ entrance on the house.
The vendor market at Little Fernwood will be buzzing, with vendors, artists, veterinarians, and community groups. And don’t be surprised to see more than a few cat people dressed up as their favourite animals.
Attendees are asked to plan their trip because street parking is limited. Organizers suggest people walk, cycle, take public transit, or carpool to the events.
Fernwood Cat Walk (free)
Fernwood Art Stroll (free)
Strawberry Ichigo Market ($4 for adults, children admitted for free.)
