The annual Wedge cat tour in Minneapolis is Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know
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It’s summertime in Minnesota — which means quirky local events are plentiful. On Wednesday, the highly anticipated Wedge LIVE! cat tour will take place in Minneapolis.
The premise is simple: you meet, you walk and you admire Minneapolis cats in window sills or the ones brave enough to be on porches or even strollers.
John Edwards, the publisher and editor of the hyperlocal news source Wedge LIVE!, is the founder of the tour. He said there are 46 households participating this year. The grand marshal is a secret until Wednesday, but Edwards shared a hint, saying the guest is a “high ranking public official” and sort of a “big deal.” (No, it is not Mayor Jacob Frey.)
While the cat tour started in 2017, the last few years have seen viral attention to whimsical Minneapolis events like the tour, Lake of the Isles pencil sharpening, Art-a-Whirl, May Day parade and others. Social media videos get millions of views, the comments repeating: “I need to go to Minneapolis!”
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But could there come a time when these once neighborhood hidden treasures get too big? Maybe. That’s something Edwards has been thinking about.
“I’m always just a little bit nervous about it being too big to handle. It’s essentially me and two other people trying to manage the crowd. It’s an unmanageable crowd,” he said.
Somebody recently emailed him from California explaining they are attending the cat tour, but worried about the chance of rain and wondered if they should cancel their plane ticket.
“Like this is just a neighborhood event in Minneapolis. I can’t deal with you or your travel plans from California,” Edwards said.
For now, the cat tour will continue, but one day it could be a relic of the past (remember the Zombie Pub Crawl?). But, cats will always remain in windowsills for all fans to spot during walks, tour or no tour.
The ninth annual Wedge LIVE! cat tour starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Mueller Park in Minneapolis.
Here are some tips for attending
Don’t drive unless you have to. Metro Transit is your friend for this.
There will be kittens up for adoption from the Bitty Kitty Brigade, so be prepared to possibly be a new cat parent if a feline steals your heart.
There is a slight chance for rain in the early evening on Wednesday, so you may want to pack an umbrella. Either way, sunscreen, shades and water is a must.
Respect the cats. We are in their space and getting the honor to visit them. Many cats can be skittish when meeting new people or with crowds, so be prepared to show your love from a distance if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
