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Have you voted for your favorite cat?

Dollie Gull

CATSKILL — Heart of Catskill Association (HOCA) and Catskill Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Linda Overbaugh warns residents and visitors that the time to vote on the “People’s Choice Award” and other top category winners in the Cat’n Around Catskill 2008 promotion in Catskill is nearing its deadline.

The Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala is scheduled for Sept. 21 at Historic Catskill Point, beginning with a 1 p.m. brunch and viewing of the cats, followed by the auction at 2 p.m.

Ballots are still available to vote for various cats in several artistic categories, including “All Around Favorite,” “Most Artistic,” “Most Original,” the cat that “Makes You Feel Good,” the “Looks Like the Most Work” cat, and “Most Creative.” The deadline to turn in ballots is Sept. 14, and ballots are available at most Main Street and West Bridge Street stores and businesses.

This year’s Cat’n Around Catskill saw many more art activities gathered around the display of the fiberglass two-foot tall cats, sitting and standing along Main Street, West Bridge Street and Route 9W.

Among these events were a “Cat Show,” held at the Catskill Community Center where the public and art enthusiasts were able to see photographic essays on how this year’s Cat’n Around cats were produced and painted by local artists. Young artists’ “Kittis” were also displayed at a Cat Show, with a summer auction of these eight-inch tall ceramic cats supplied by Imagine That! ceramic shop on Main Street. Store owners, Lillian and Wayne Johnson provided materials to the children who took part in this program, whose idea was sparked by Lillian, assisted by Eileen Dees, HOCA member and owner of The Garden Gate Cafe.

The Kittis were auctioned off at a special event held on Church Street in front of the Bank of Greene County, benefiting the young artists as well as the Catskill Community Center.

“Flat Cats,” which were a creative idea copied from the 2007 Cat’n Around Catskill promotion, were also displayed at the Cat Show. These artistic creations were made by Catskill students and senior citizens at Washington Irving Senior Center.

A Flat Cat created by fifth-grade students at Coxsackie-Athens Elementary School even circled the globe, traveling with teacher Lief Roberg to China, India, Israel and other countries. Coxsackie-Athens students kept track of this Flat Cat’s journey, as Roberg e-mailed back video and photographs of the cat at various venues around the world on his sabbatical from his job with the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District. His efforts encouraged his students and others to learn more about geography, cultures and lifestyles in other countries.

Other Cat’n Around Catskill events in downtown Catskill this year included a “Cat Race,” sponsored by Mahalo gift shop on Main Street, and displays of cats, including the Kittis in storefront windows. Other artistic endeavors focused on Catskill’s cats, including photographic essays at the Community Center and at the Muddy Cup, and by independent photographers.

Last year’s Flat Cats were also auctioned off at the 2007 auction and gala. Funds raised from the auction last year, and again this year, will benefit participating artists, AnimalKind, funding for a Barry Hopkins Memorial Art Scholarship and other non-profits, as well as HOCA and chamber promotional events.

The Cat’n Around Catskill promotion has heightened tourists’ awareness of downtown Catskill. It promoted tourism and increased sales along Main Street and West Bridge Street and brought more business to Route 9W.

This artistic promotion has been such a success that it has been copied by artists in Columbia County where artistic pooches are on display in Hudson, and the possibility of bears and butterflies could be on display along Main Street, Cairo, next summer.

The winning cats will be announced at the Sept. 21 Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala. The Gala will be held rain or shine, according to Overbaugh, who noted that tickets for the event are now on sale at the Chamber Office for $30 per person.

“Last year’s Cats’ Meow and Gala was such a success,” said Overbaugh, “that we expect the same this year.” She urged those planning to attend “to buy their tickets early,” to make sure there will be a place at the brunch for them.

Last year, she noted, “we ran out of tickets and none were available at the gate.”

The finale for this year’s Cat’n Around Catskill will feature “some fabulous food,” Overbaugh said.

For ticket information, call the Heart of Catskill Association/Catskill Chamber of Commerce at 518-943-0989 or go to www.catskillchamber@mhcable.com.

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