Minneapolis Cat Tour Brings Community Together Through Feline Appreciation

Earlier this week, the streets of Minneapolis' Wedge neighborhood came alive with excitement as 100 cat lovers gathered for the 7th annual cat tour.

What Is The Cat Tour?

The event is exactly what it sounds like - a walking tour where neighborhood cats become the stars of the show. These feline celebrities perch in their favorite windows while admirers walk by, cheer them on, and snap photos.

Homeowners with cats can sign up ahead of time to make their homes official stops on the tour. When they register, their pets get added to the official cat tour roster. Many families create posters with their cat's name and fun facts, placing them in windows so visitors can learn more about each furry resident.

Bonus Cats Add Extra Joy

Not all cat owners manage to register in time for the official lineup. This creates opportunities for what tour participants call "bonus cats" - unscheduled feline sightings that bring extra delight to the day. Each time someone spots a bonus cat, the crowd erupts in celebration.

How The Cat Tour Started

The neighborhood cat tour exists thanks to one man with a simple idea. John Edwards, who started the tradition, began noticing window cats during his walks after moving to the Wedge neighborhood.

He started sharing photos of these cats on his social media page called WedgeLive, which he also uses for local news stories about the neighborhood. As the cat photos gained popularity online, Edwards thought a cat tour would be a fun way to bring community members together.

Growing Popularity

The first cat tour in 2017 had about 30 people attending. Since then, the event has grown significantly each year. This year's tour reportedly attracted around 500 participants, showing just how popular this unique community event has become.

The Wedge neighborhood cat tour has proven that sometimes the simplest ideas can create meaningful community connections. By celebrating the everyday joy that cats bring to their neighborhoods, residents have created a tradition that brings people together through their shared appreciation of feline friends.