LEWISBURG — This isn’t your average walking tour. Expect cat cameos in windows, local history and lore, beautiful architecture and hidden gardens, all part of a decidedly different way to discover Lewisburg.
The second annual “Show Us Your Kitties” guided walking tour returns Saturday, Oct. 24, taking guests through downtown Lewisburg neighborhoods, where feline residents will greet tour-goers from their favorite windows along the way. The tour ends with a special visit to the former St. John’s Church, now a private residence and home to four cats.
“When we started this tour last year, we were hoping the community would really embrace the fun of it all while supporting a great cause, and they did,” said Megan Bishop, Cherished Cats board member. “We’re thrilled to bring it back for a second year, this time with limited-edition T-shirts. It’s definitely a bit quirky, a lot of fun, and really, that’s what it’s all about.”
Tours begin at The Scratching Post Cat Café, 230 Market St., Lewisburg, at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. A $20 donation reserves a spot on the tour; space is limited and advance registration is required. Registration and additional information are available at lewisburgscratchingpost.org/events. Questions not answered on the registration form may be sent to info@cherishedcats.org.
Sparked by requests following last year’s tour, limited-edition Show Us Your Kitties T- shirts are available for $30. Shirts may be purchased separately, with no tour ticket required, or as part of a discounted ticket-and-shirt bundle. T-shirt orders must be placed by Oct. 1.
Show Us Your Kitties is part of Cherished Cats’ extended celebration of National Cat Day on Oct. 29, a day created to celebrate the cats who make our lives better while calling attention to those still in need of homes. And because “one day simply isn’t enough time to celebrate our love of cats.”
Bishop says Cherished Cats will start early with a free Kittens at the Library event Oct. 17 at the Union County Public Library.
Activities continue through Nov. 1, with social media games and posts highlighting different parts of the organization’s rescue mission, including foster and adoption work, support for local trap-neuter-return efforts and The Scratching Post Cat Café.
One more casting call: The tour route is nearly complete, but if you think your Lewisburg cat has what it takes to become a window star, there may still be time to join the lineup.
Interested cat owners can contact info@cherishedcats.org for details.
