Mardi Gras will look a little different this year for Lloyd residents.
Border Paws will be hosting Meowdi Gras on Feb. 17 at the 4th Meridian Brewing Co.
“It’s a way for the community to come together, drink some beers, play with some cats and really showcase our adoptables,” said Chelsea Reeves, funding and event co-ordinator. “Right now, we have almost 20 fully-adoptable cats, not including the ones that are going to be coming up right away.”
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The event will take place upstairs at the 4th Meridian at 2632 50 Ave. unit 9, giving cats a chance to stretch their paws.
“So, 4th Meridian is letting us use their upstairs space. We’re going to have free-roam cats just out and about,” she said. “There’s going to be coin flip games where you can win some little snacks.
“It’s really good for them to get that socialization as well. They get bored here and we want them to meet more people.”
The animal shelter will also be putting its own twist on a Mardi Gras classic, the King’s Cake.
“We’re going to do the kitten’s cake,” Reeves explained. “Instead of a baby that they find, it’s going to be a little toy cat. The winner gets to be the king or queen of Meowdi Gras.”
Admission to the event is $10 and runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 17.
“It’s going to be $10 or a value entry fee. For example, if you bring $10 worth of cat toys or cat treats, we’ll let you right in,” she said, noting the shelter is running low on kitten milk and puppy milk.
Reeves also explained Meowdi Gras will include early-access admission.
“We are going to be selling VIP tickets,” she said. “Those are going to be $25 but then you get special access upstairs, an hour before it actually starts.”
Table sponsors will also be available.
“If you wanted to, you could pay $100 to be a table sponsor,” said Reeves. “You can do it in honour of a shelter animal. Even if it’s an animal that you’ve already adopted. You can also do $75 for an in memory of.”
There will also be a door prize available.
“The 4th Meridian will be donating two growlers of some of their beer for a door prize,” she said.
Anyone 18 and under will be able to get in free but cannot participate in the alcohol raffle.
Donations from the event will go directly to helping the Border Paws Animal Shelter.
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