About a dozen people showed up for the impromptu cat tour, led by Edwards, seven years ago. On a two-mile walk, the group stopped to watch about 20 cats peering out of windows.
Edwards — who runs a hyperlocal media publication called Wedge Live — never imagined his cat tour concept would catch on. But people loved it and wanted more, so Edwards started organizing an annual cat tour.
“It was a joke, and now it’s real,” Edwards said. “I just thought it would be a funny topic for an event, and it turned into something that hundreds and hundreds of people wanted to go to.”
On the evening of June 26, about 500 people of all ages gathered at a local park, ready to begin the seventh annual cat walk. Many held signs reading “show us your cats”, and people also wore official “Cats of the Wedge” t-shirts, tank tops and tote bags. Local reporters were there to cover the tour.
“It’s incredibly weird,” Edwards said of his annual event, which is free. “I love doing weird and silly things like that.”
Other people love it, too. While the cat tour is mostly attended by locals, some travel from neighboring suburbs — or further afield — to be there.
“Last year, we even had a guy come specifically for the Oklahoma City cat tour,” Edwards said. “He said he had it on his bucket list and flew out here.”
Now that the event has grown considerably, Edwards asks that residents who want to bring their felines on the tour register in advance. This year, there were about 22 stops along the hour-long tour, though there were several “bonus cats” (as Edwards calls them) whose owners saw the commotion outside and decided to bring their furry friends to join in the fun. There was also a memorial to a former tour cat named Princess Pickles.
While many cats remain indoors, others come out to mingle. The large group blocks traffic, but drivers don’t seem to mind.
“It’s really just getting together with your neighbors, going for a walk and looking at cats,” said Taylor Dahlin, who lives in a nearby neighborhood and has attended five cat tours over the years. “I’ve never heard of anything like it. It’s a really fun way to spend an evening.”
Paula Chesley is also a big fan of the cat tour. For three years, she has been showing off her cat Billie Jean. She takes her outside in a stroller to socialize with people.
“She loved it,” Chesley said, adding that he met many friends during the tour.
Billie Jean passed away last July, but Chesley was still eager to attend the event.
“It’s very whimsical,” she said. “I think it just brings out people’s sense of foolishness.”
Chesley hopes her new rescue cat, Elvis, can be shown at next year’s cat show when he’s less skittish. In the meantime, she’s enjoyed meeting the other cats in the neighborhood.
“It’s a very joyful event,” she said.
David Montgomery’s cats, Coda and Margeaux, posed for people in his window. Montgomery is also caring for a litter of kittens and placed them in another window for tour attendees to ooh and aah at.
“People loved it,” Montgomery said. “I love showing off our cats and being able to see everyone.”
Montgomery moved to the Wedge last year and said the cat walk is a must-do for residents.
“It’s one of the highlights of living in this neighborhood, both the event itself and the kind of community that being able to host an event like this reflects,” he said.
Community building is Edwards’ main goal on the annual tour.
“I really realized how much people like it,” he said.
Edwards, however, wanted to clarify one thing: He doesn’t have a cat. He described himself as more of a dog person.
“I love all animals, but I prefer dogs, so it’s weird that I’m the cat-walking guy,” he said, explaining that a cat walk seemed simpler than a dog walk, since dogs tend to be less docile.
“It’s not really about the cats,” he said. “It’s a large group of people coming together and sharing an experience. I think people really enjoy the camaraderie.”
The 2025 Cats Tour is already scheduled for June 25. Edwards plans to continue the Cats Tour tradition indefinitely.
“Everyone has a great time,” he said. “Every year I’m shocked at how happy everyone seems while it’s happening.”
