Cat lovers, this news might have you feline sad: Vancouver's annual cat appreciation event, Meowfest, will not be taking place in 2024.
Event manager Justine Cheng and the Meowfest team shared the news Friday (Jan. 26) in an email to fans and supporters of Canada's largest cat festival.
"After the magic of Meowfest 2023 in both Toronto and Vancouver, we’ve decided to take a pause this year to recharge and come back with fresh ideas," explains Cheng.
"We believe this break will enhance the experience for everyone, ensuring a purrfect comeback. It's a chance for us to produce new ideas, ensuring that when we reunite, it'll be with a burst of creativity and energy."
Meowfest began in Vancouver in 2018 with an inaugural event at the Roundhouse in Yaletown, featuring merch, appearances by cat experts, and meet-and-greets (insomuch as cats are willing to socialize) with Instagram-famous felines.
In 2019, the event was held in Toronto. A planned return to Vancouver in the summer of 2020 was curbed by the pandemic; Meowfest made its triumphant Vancouver return in 2022.
Cheng told V.I.A. in 2022 that her favourite part of Meowfest extends past the furry friends; it's about "bringing the community together."
The 2022 event was particularly special, she explained: "Because everyone hasn't gotten together since 2018, I think everyone's just looking forward to connecting [again]."
That joy was not only carried over but expanded upon just last August, when Meowfest's 2023 Vancouver gathering grew to have several exciting new features, including everything from crafts and cat-themed tattoos to a scavenger hunt and cat costume contest. The event also had speed-dating for cat lovers, a variety of themed photo-ops, a marketplace with over 40 vendors, food trucks, and an interactive human-size cat tree.
Since its 2018 debut, Meowfest has also raised $84,663 collectively for organizations that support environmental and wildlife causes.
As Meowfest takes its time off this year, cat enthusiasts will find the Meowfest online shop up and running; the platform will be updated with new products periodically, too.
"We appreciate your ongoing support and can’t wait to see you again," shared Cheng.
With files from Maria Diment
