WILLIAMSBURG — The Virginia Cat Festival (VCF), a new festival celebrating all things cats, is scheduled for Nov. 9 and 10 in Williamsburg.
“We’re thrilled to bring this festival to Williamsburg as a place for cat people to gather and celebrate everything weird and wonderful about our furry friends. Whether people are looking to learn more about how to care for their pet, want to watch silly cat videos, or want to get information about supporting organizations that help cats in need this festival has something for them,” said Liz Sykes, VCF Producer.
Festival activities and events will include:
- Keynote speaker Jackson Galaxy, a renowned cat behavior and wellness expert who hosted Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell” and is a New York Times bestselling author of multiple cat-focused books
- Film screenings including the 2024 CatVideoFest program that raises funds for cats in need, with a VCF donation to Heritage Humane Society, and an interactive “feral” screening of the 2019 movie adaptation of the musical “Cats”
- A performance of the Virginia Cat Festival’s Funniest Cat People, a live comedy show where comedians use audience-submitted cat photos and videos as inspiration for improvised comedy and other shenanigans
- A vendor marCATplace featuring creators with their custom cat merchandise, businesses with high-quality cat products, and nonprofit organizations that support cats sharing their work and how people can support their mission
- Hands-on workshops with cat experts and advocates that will help participants better understand and connect with their cats
- An activity area with cat-themed games, a caricature artist, a coloring station, and more for attendees to enjoy.
Individuals and businesses that are interested in getting involved as workshop presenters or marCATplace vendors should apply through the festival website.
The Virginia Cat Festival will take place at Kimball Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 9, and at the Williamsburg Lodge on Sunday, Nov. 10. A ticket includes access to events on both days. A limited early bird registration price is $40 for adults and $20 for kids is available until Oct. 31. The regular admission price is $50 for adults and $30 for kids.
The primary sponsor of the weekend is the City of Williamsburg, and AVAdventure Productions, a Williamsburg production company, is producing the event.
The full weekend schedule, tickets available for purchase, and additional details are available at the event website, vacatfestival.com.
