You have cat people and you have dog people, but here in New York we have cat and dog towns. Or, at least we used to.
Back in the day, in the summer of 2008, two towns went head to head, competing for the best city strolls: Catskill had the cats, and Hudson had the dogs. Personally, I’m a dog person and I greatly enjoyed seeing those imaginative dog sculptures, but I haven’t seen them since.
Did the cat people win? That would be my guess given the dearth of dog sculptures in subsequent years, and the return of the Catskill cats for the fifth year of Cat-n-Around Catskill.
We caught up with them this week as the cat art was being placed around town.
In a workshop on Main Street, Saturday Night Feline was mounted on a base before heading out for installation. I didn’t get to see where this cat ended up, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find both these guys dancing in the street à la John Travolta.
Catskill Cats are Works of Art
Every one of these cats is an incredible work of art, transformed from their original blank white fiberglass “canvass” by talented local artists. But I’m most intrigued by the stories behind the cats art.
I’m told that this prizefighter cat is a nod to a longtime local club that trained champion boxers such as Mike Tyson. That’s all I’ve heard, please spill the details if you know more!
In any case, our kids didn’t need to know much about the cats art to find them plenty amusing as they were.
All they needed to know was that there were cool cars…
… a knight in shining armor tilting at windmills…
…and a good dose of silliness for all.
As If That Wasn’t Enough Cats
The cat obsession is epidemic in Catskill, New York. It’s not just in these sculptures, you can find cats in all shapes and sizes at several shops along Main Street. One new business, the Catskill Chocolate Café, seems more than a little enamored with the town’s feline identity.
Not that we minded. The kids barely noticed these cats; not with chocolates, pastries, and ice cream to draw their attention.
Who can see cats when there is Cannoli Ice Cream Cake in the picture?
Go See It!
54 fabulous felines will be in residence Memorial Day Weekend through Sunday, September 17th along Main Street, the 9W and Rt. 23B in Leeds. To plan your visit, go to Cat-n-Around Catskill.
Catskill Chocolate Cafe
40 Bridge Street
Catskill, NY 12414-1605
(518) 943-2122
Website: www.catskillchocolatecafe.com
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