In a quiet corner of Minneapolis, the Wedge neighborhood is known for more than just tree-lined streets and cozy homes — it’s known for its cats.
Every summer, neighbors gather not to admire houses or gardens, but to meet the cats who rule the windowsills and porches of their community.
What began as one man’s afternoon hobby has become one of the city’s most heartwarming local traditions.
A Neighborhood’s Love for Cats Turns Into a Tradition
In 2017, John Edwards, the editor and publisher of Wedge Live, turned his love for neighborhood cats into something bigger — a walking tour dedicated entirely to them.
What started as a lighthearted experiment now brings hundreds of people together to celebrate the bond between cats and the people who love them.
Edwards said the idea first came from his daily walks around the neighborhood. Whenever he saw a cat perched on a fence or lounging by a window, he snapped a photo and shared it online.
Soon, people began to follow these posts, recognizing the cats as familiar faces from their own walks.
That small joy sparked an idea: what if everyone could come together to see these cats in person, just like a historic walking tour — but softer, funnier, and full of fur?
From a Simple Walk to a City-Wide Event
The first tour was modest — a few dozen people strolling together, smiling at cats who blinked curiously from behind screens or peered through curtains. There were no signs, no sponsors, and no rules — just people who cared enough to show up.
But over time, the Wedge Cat Tour grew into something much larger. Each year, the crowd swelled as word spread across Minneapolis.
Families arrived with cameras, children carried cat-shaped balloons, and local residents waited on their porches to wave at the crowd. What once felt like a neighborhood experiment soon became a full-scale event that brought people from across the city.
Edwards laughed when recalling how unpredictable it’s become. Some cats are officially registered for the tour, their owners submitting their names so walkers know where to stop. But many others join in spontaneously.
As the crowd passes, homeowners lift their cats to the window or bring them outside in carriers, backpacks, or strollers.
Others make a moment of it — raising their cats like royalty to cheers and applause echoing down the block.
“It’s beautiful chaos,” Edwards once joked. People spill onto sidewalks, laughing, waving, and taking pictures. S
trangers meet for the first time, united by the simple joy of seeing a tabby yawn or a calico stretch in the sunlight. Even the cats who prefer to observe from afar seem to sense the warmth of the moment.
A Celebration That Keeps Growing
Every June, the Wedge Cat Tour returns — bigger, louder, and somehow even more full of love than before. Edwards says he never imagined it would grow this much.
What was meant to be a playful community walk is now a beloved annual event that connects people of all ages.
Residents now plan their summers around it. Some craft little signs introducing their cats by name; others decorate their yards with paw prints and ribbons.
A few have even turned their cats into local celebrities — “porch stars” whose photos circulate online long after the tour ends.
But beyond the laughter and applause, there’s something deeply human at the heart of it all.
In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the Wedge Cat Tour gives neighbors a reason to stop, smile, and share a moment together.
It reminds people that connection doesn’t always come through screens — sometimes it comes through a shared love for a tiny creature sitting quietly behind a window.
For John Edwards, there’s no question about continuing the tradition.
He smiles whenever people call him “the cat tour guy.” After all, it’s not just about cats anymore — it’s about community, kindness, and the joy that blooms when people gather to celebrate something small and beautiful.
And as the sun sets over the neighborhood, with laughter drifting down the streets and cats watching from their favorite spots, it’s clear that what started as a walk has turned into something far more special — a tradition built on love, curiosity, and the simple happiness that only cats can bring.
I’m Chris, a lifelong cat lover and rescue advocate based in Austin, Texas. What started with one scruffy shelter cat ten years ago turned into a mission — sharing the stories of cats who got their second chance. I believe every rescue cat has a tale worth telling, and I’m here to tell them. When I’m not writing, I’m probably being ignored by my own three rescues