A few months ago, my buddy Steve, aka the Cat Drawing Guy, asked if I wanted to accompany him to the LA Feline Film Festival in September. Steve was to be one of the VIPs of the festival, along with internet sensation Lil Bub. This was essentially the same thing as someone asking if I wanted a million dollars. Needless to say, I was in.
I flew out late Saturday night. I officiated a wedding earlier in the day, and had to deal with plane delays, but made it to California at about 3am Chicago time, so I was beat. We got up early the next morning for breakfast and to head to the festival to set up. Along the way, we saw another celebrity cat:
(Felix, looking like he’s doing Sasha’s “be cool” walk if “we have a fire” in Don’t Spit the Water.)
We got everything set up and ready to go for a day of commerce. I would sell the drawings, t-shirts, etc, and pet all the cats, while Steve would draw the cats on the spot. We had a good system.
Once we were set up, I looked across the way, and saw a very familiar face. “There’s Lil Bub” I said, and Steve was like “Oh, let’s go meet them.” So we did.
Her owner/Bub’s Dude/ Mike Bridavsky was super nice and real and let me pet Bub and take some pictures of her. I surprisingly didn’t cry.
She was so soft and sweet.
She told some secrets to Steve.
We also met other celebrity cats.
Aragon, who plays Lord Tubbington on Glee.
Cats were welcome at the festival, so many people brought their kitties with them in bags or on leashes. Like these:
(Yes, this cat is wearing deely-bopper sunglasses and sitting like that)
The festival was also an adoption event, so many shelters were there hopefully pairing numerous kitties with their new homes.
(This was taken before all the people arrived. The adoption kitties were very popular.)
There were also tents of other merchants selling their cat wares. I saw so many things that Parker would have loved (costumes, toys, treats), but not so much for our tiny old little Latte. I got her some treats.
We were slammed all day. The place to sell cat drawings is, by far, a cat festival. And I don’t think it was an exaggeration to say that I was in my own personal Heaven. We met so many amazing people, and so many amazing cats. I felt very at home at a cat festival.
Then, early the next morning, we were on a flight back to Chicago. My second time in California was way too short. But it was nice to get home to my own little kitty and to my amazingly sweet husband.
I’m grateful to Steve for the invitation, and to the festival for hosting. It was a long day, but an awesome one, and one I will never ever forget.
Check out this LA Times feature and video, with a cameo by one of Steve’s drawings!
