JoeFest, A Cat Story: Part 1

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​JoeFest, A Cat Story

​          Today being International Cat Day,

 ...I thought that it would be a fitting day to tell the story of JoeFest.    
      To understand the story of JoeFest, I think one must first know about Clintonville, the neighborhood north of downtown Columbus, Ohio, where JoeFest took place,

...and where my daughter, Theresa, happens to live.

     Now, the main thoroughfare through downtown Columbus is High Street,

 ...which, as it continues north and becomes North High Street, is also the main thoroughfare through ​Clintonville.
​       But, having left the city skyline behind, in Clintonville North High Street is lined rather with a mélange of historic buildings, 

...charming eateries, interesting shops,  and other business establishments that reflect the community's arty, progressive, bohemian vibe.

       Once off North High Street, Clintonville is a tight-knit community of classic houses on tree-lined streets.

     Clintonville is also home to lovely outdoor spaces, including the Whetstone Park of Roses,

...and the Walhalla Ravine.

     Some residents have turned their yards into nature preserves.

       The local deer make themselves perfectly at home in Clintonville,

...as does a certain cat named Joe, who is the principle character of this story.
​    Joe is a 9-year-old orange tabby and Clintonville resident with a distinctive expression and style.

     
​     He is a former indoor cat who one day zipped out of his owners' house and ever since has been spending his days wandering the Clintonville area. 
        Joe regularly wanders into people's yards,

...and houses.

   
​He wanders into businesses,

...and the local elementary school,

...where he got his picture in the yearbook.

    He's crashed music sessions,

...and a wedding.

      Folks out walking may find they have a companion,

...and Joe is glad to stop for pettings at every opportunity.

   
​     Joe is basically friendly with everyone.

      But apparently what Joe likes best of all is to wander around the Walhalla Ravine, 

...sidling up to the Ravine's visitors, ​

...and occasionally to a Ravine resident.

       It became such a source of delight among the Clintonville locals to encounter Joe that someone made a Facebook page entitled "Wandrin Joe the Ravine Cat" to give Joe's followers the opportunity to share their Joe encounters. 

      Joe currently has 3.2K Facebook followers.
     A few months ago several of Joe's followers, my daughter among them, came up with the idea of having a community event to celebrate Clintonville's love of Joe. A committee was formed. "JoeFest" was soon in the planning stage.
     To be continued...