Kattenstoet, A Cat Parade Held Every Three Years in Ypres, Belgium

The Kattenstoet, or “Festival of the Cats,” is a parade held every three years in Ypres, Belgium that celebrates cats. In the Middle Ages, it was Ypres tradition to throw cats from the belfry of the Cloth Hall to the town square below, possibly as a symbol of killing evil spirits associated with witchcraft. In the modern day Kattenstoet, a jester throws cat plushies from the belfry for parade-goers below to catch. The 43rd Kattenstoet took place on May 13th, 2013, and the next is scheduled for May 10th, 2015.

via PetsLady, The Presurfer