Marion Cat Show, July 10-11

Dogs, dogs, dogs, blah, blah, blah.

I know I’ve been neglecting the cats something terrible. (But really, cat people, bird people, reptile people, snake people, send me some stories!

Well, here’s some big excitement! On July 10-11, there will be a Cat Show in nearby Marion, Ill. Yup, a Cat Show! Set those GPSs to the Williamson County Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Dr., in Marion.

Mary Bowlin (longtime Paducah Kennel Club member — go figure) has been showing her cats for the last eight years. In addition to her top-winning Papillon dogs, Mary loves her cats: three Cornish Rex and one American Shorthair. “I also own two rescue cats I adopted through Creatures Great and Small,” she says.

Mary got interested in the cat shows because she was looking for something to do with her late husband. “He thought he would enjoy the shows,” Mary recalls. And he did! “The day my husband finished his Championship on his Ocicat named Tarzan, he was so excited!” 

“Cat shows are a lot different than the dogs shows,” explains Mary. “You go for all day and will show in about six to eight rings per show. Sometimes this is over two days and sometimes one day.” 

Here’s the scoop from a Cat Fanciers’ Association Spectator Guide:

A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout a show hall. Each “show” is presided over by a different judge, who presents his or her own awards independent of the decisions of other judges. Hence, a cat that is chosen “Best” by the judge in Ring 1 may not always be given the same award by the judge in Ring 2. Individual rings can be classified as either allbreed or specialty. In an allbreed ring all cats, regardless of coat length or type, compete for various awards. In a specialty ring only those cats of similar coat length, long hair or shorthair, compete for awards.

Clear as mud? I’m confused too!  But there are competition classes for kittens, cats, veterans (cats over seven years), pedigreed, and household pets. Plus there are Junior Showmanship classes for the kids, and… oh lordy ... Feline Agility!

Good luck at Marion, Mary! We’ll see you there!!

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