Seacoast Cat Club, an affiliate club of The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), is holding its annual show at the Everett Arena in Concord on May 2-3. The show will run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Herding cats? May not be possible. Persuading cats to run through an obstacle course of tunnels, steps, hoops and then weave their way through a line of poles? This can be done.
CFA Ringmaster Jill Archibald, a breeder from New Jersey, will direct this part of the show. The competition, an important part of the show, is open to all cats in the show, both pedigreed and household pets. If you come only to watch, the ringmaster will let you run one of her Egyptian Maus or Bobtails through the course.
We will also have “Pet Me” cats that will be available to be petted and pampered by those who’d like to handle them. There are no “Do Not Touch” signs on these cages. People are encouraged to come and pet and enjoy these well-socialized cats. Some are household pets who have been retired from the show circuit; others are retired pedigreed cats who enjoy being back in the show hall. Please come and enjoy their purrs!
In addition to the actual judging, there will be vendors, a kids’ table including free face painting, a raffle, a chance to vote for your favorite cat to win Spectators’ Choice, a used book sale and a breed presentation Sunday.
The breed presentation, scheduled for Sunday at noon, will be an open forum where spectators are encouraged to ask questions and learn about the personalities of the breeds presented. Unlike the judging rings where spectators watch, the breed presentation encourages people to ask the judge whatever questions might be on their minds about breeds and their personalities, about the show itself, about anything cat-related.
Before the breed presentation Sunday, youngsters may choose to participate in the Stuffed Animal Contest. This will be held at 11:30 a.m. in one of the judging rings. Though kids may bring their own stuffed animals, there will be several stuffed animals available for kids to choose from “to show.”
There will be a concession stand for snacks and lunch as well as the Paws Awhile Café where your lunch can be eaten in a quiet area before returning to the show.
As Seacoast has done in the past, we are offering $1 off admission if you bring cat food that will be donated to the Manchester Animal Shelter, or a food donation for the N.H. Food Bank. You can also find a $1 off coupon on the website.
For more information, visit seacoastcatclub.org.
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12 and seniors.
