The folks behind the Cat Video Festival say after more than a year indoors during COVID lockdowns with cats, it’s time to bring the felines outdoors. The annual Cat Video Festival returns for outdoor viewing at CHS Field in Lowertown St. Paul on Aug. 12. Due to the pandemic, the kitty videos were all online in 2020.
The celebration of internet cat videos started in the Twin Cities in 2012, when the Walker Art Center decided to screen cat videos outdoors on the grounds. Funny feline films were taking off on the internet. The Walker figured they should prepare for as many as 2,500 people.
Ten thousand showed up. They wore cat costumes; they brought their feline friends. And the world went a little crazy for the idea. Coverage came from the New York Times, the BBC, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Cat Fancy, National Public Radio, Japanese television, Time, Australian talk shows and Brazilian newspapers, according to the Walker’s news release in 2016.
In 2013, the cat video festival moved to the Minnesota State Fair and sold out the Grandstand. In addition to awarding the “Golden Kitty” for best video, there was a cat butter sculpture. Animal Planet was there to film the festivities. Cat video “celebricats” Lil Bub and Grumpy Cat were there.
In 2014, the event went back to the Walker’s Open Field area, and moved to CHS Field in 2015. With the exception of last year, it’s been there every summer since. Seating is in the stands or fest-goers can bring blankets and sit in the infield to watch the videos. Though some folks brought their cats to early cat video festivals, they are not allowed at the event any more. Attendees have been known to paint on whiskers and don ears and tails, however.
The St. Paul Saints and myTalk 107.1 radio sponsor the event, with a portion of ticket sales going to an animal charity. This year, $1 from each ticket will go to Bitty Kitty Brigade, a foster-based organization that takes care of neonatal kittens.
Tickets are $15; children 5 and younger are free. There is VIP seating for $75 (food and drink, air conditioning, private bathrooms) in the Securian Club. For tickets and more info: catfestmn.com.