Catskill, New York — It’s that time of year again when statues of fantastic, lavishly decorated felines line the streets of downtown Catskill as the New York State resort town gears up for its annual Cat’s Meow Auction slated to be held on September 17th. The cats are on display from Memorial Day to mid-September on Catskill’s historic Main Street, as the event, dubbed Cat’n around Catskill, enters its 17th year. On the 17th a special viewing is on the agenda during which hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served followed by the live auction from 2pm until 5:30pm. Participants typically purchase auction and/or raffle tickets at the Greene County Chamber of Commerce at 327 Main Street in Catskill. It’s a fundraiser for the Heart of Catskill Association, a nonprofit association that organizes public programming in the town and village.

Sixty-four fabulous felines are on offer in addition to which is the Feline of Summer statue. There is also a People’s Choice Award. This year you can bid on and/or vote for Woodyland Kitty, Abominable SnowCat, Mona Lisa Cat, Coastal Cat or the Kaleidocat 2, among others. Catskill, with its catchy cat-like name already appeared as Landt van Kats Kill on the 1656 map of New Netherland by Nicolaes Visscher. Kill is the Dutch word for a creek, stream or small waterway with Kats Kill meaning Cat’s Creek. Mountain lions, also known as catamounts, were present when the Dutch arrived while today the smaller lynx or bobcats are still roaming those mountains. The Dutch began settling New York State and New York City in the 17th century and the legacy of those settlers remains today, often in place names. 

A portrait gallery of cats on display at the 2022 Cat’n around Catskill event. Photos Bill Valicenti special to The Gourmet Gazette

Catskill, New York is the gateway to the Catskill Mountains (part of the great Appalachian chain of mountains)  and Catskill Park, just a three-hour drive north of New York City. Grandiose landscapes, plenty of water and waterways, as well as great food and wine await the visitor to this historic region. ©The Gourmet Gazette. Additional reporting Bill Valicenti. For additional information on the cat auction: https://cat-n-around.com/cat-n-around-catskill/ . And for additional information on the Catskills: https://www.visitthecatskills.com/