The four-day event will celebrate T.S Eliot and the psychology, sociology and whimsy of cats

There seems to be a bit of a running theme in Margate with what seems to be a penchant for quirky animal-themed attractions.

Only recently, a group of crustacean enthusiasts opened the Crab Museum in Broad Street - Europe’s first would you believe - dedicated to the decapod.

Now, we’ve got a Festival of Cats (@festival_of _Cats) coming up.

It’s actually not the first time this festival has run in Margate, first held in 2018 as a fringe event to Turner Contemporary’s ‘Journeys with the Waste Land’.

While the gallery’s exhibition focused on T.S. Eliot’s seminal work, Festival of Cats sought to bring attention to one of his other famous and popular works - Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.

Much like the book, the festival celebrates the psychology, sociology and whimsy of cats.

The 2022 festival, which runs from March 24-28, will feature a series of events across Margate and is open to everyone.

The festival’s creators are Jemma Channing and Helen Pitman.

“Jemma and I, independently, came up with the idea and joined forces for the first Festival of Cats in 2018,” says Helen. “We thought it would be a fun way of recognising Eliot’s other work and also highlighting the wonder of cats.”

The festival also highlights artist Louis Wain, who lived in Westgate for many years while producing some of his most loved works.

He is best known for his whimsical drawings of cats.

Jemma added: “In 2018, we were pleasantly surprised that almost 400 people visited the festival and 60 artists participated from all over the UK.

“After a hard couple of years we want to give people the opportunity to visit, contribute and/or participate again in this fun festival.”

Artists, makers and creatives are invited to submit work for the main exhibition, which will take place at The Margate School.

Works can be in any medium, size or format as long as there is a feline theme.

There is no fee for submission and everyone of all ages is welcome to apply.

Submissions close Friday, February 25.

See more at www.festivalofcats.com.