CFA Show Focus: A New Hope

May 7, 2026

Episode I: A New Hope Awakens in Jacksonville

Vincent J. Pina-Crupi, Mike M. Pina-Crupi, and Melody Boyd

The Genesis of A New Hope

For A New Hope Cat Club, the journey to our inaugural show started with a simple but passionate goal: we wanted to bring more CFA cat shows to the state of Florida. Getting to our first-ever event in Jacksonville this past February didn’t happen overnight. It was the culmination of months of meticulous planning, late-night emails, and a shared vision to create a stellar new addition to the Florida show calendar.

Jacksonville has a rich history with the Cat Fanciers’ Association, but it had been quite some time since a CFA show was held in the area. Bringing a show back to this community was a major driving force for our club. It felt incredibly rewarding to revive that tradition and give both longtime local fanciers and new spectators a chance to experience the magic of a CFA event right in their own back yard once again.

Behind the Scenes: Mentorship and Logistics

Planning an inaugural show is a unique beast. Without a template from previous years to rely on, the prospect of building our foundation from scratch was daunting. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do it alone. The incredible team at New Vision Cat Club stepped up to partner with us for this inaugural event. Since it was our very first time navigating the intricate logistics of hosting, their experience and guidance were invaluable. They took us under their wing and walked us through the process step-by-step.

A massive piece of that puzzle was our phenomenal entry clerk, Andrea Cobb. Simply put, without her experience and deep knowledge of setting up and benching a show, we would not have been able to pull this off. Andrea navigated the complexities of entries and the benching layout with incredible skill, ensuring that once exhibitors actually arrived in Jacksonville, everything was perfectly in place.

We also want to share a very special, heartfelt tribute to the late Donna Andrews. Donna graciously donated her club’s ring supplies to us, providing the vital physical pieces we needed to make this event a reality. But beyond the supplies, it was her encouragement and dear friendship that meant the world to us.

With New Vision’s mentorship, Andrea’s expertise, and the foundational support of friends like Donna, we divided and conquered. We focused heavily on the details that make a show run smoothly—booking an incredible slate of judges, managing vendor spaces, and ensuring our hospitality table would keep everyone fueled. Naturally, there were a few minor bumps in the road, like having to pivot to a new venue due to unforeseen circumstances, but the amazing camaraderie within the clubs made it an easy fix and kept the show right on track.

Showtime in Jacksonville: February 21-22

When the doors finally opened on that Saturday morning, all the stress of the planning phase melted away. The energy in the hall was electric. It was incredibly rewarding to see exhibitors wheeling in their setups, setting up their benching area, and the first cats making their way to the judging rings.

Given our club’s name, we knew the atmosphere had to reflect A New Hope. We leaned heavily into our Star Wars theme, creating an environment that was not just competitive, but genuinely out of this galaxy. We owe a massive thank you to Elizabeth Nolte for designing and building all of the incredible ring decorations that brought our vision to life. Thanks to her hard work, each judging ring transported exhibitors to a different corner of the galaxy—from the forest moon of Endor with its Ewoks to a bustling Droid Station, the infamous Mos Eisley Cantina, a space dedicated to the adorable Grogu, and even a ring patrolled by Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers! The immersive feel was further elevated by Brenda Mittelstadt, who generously loaned the club much of her personal Star Wars memorabilia—including an absolute crowd-favorite: an R2-D2 ingeniously crafted from a garbage can!

 

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Sazan Powers. Sazan not only generously donated all of the fantastic items for our raffle, but she also sponsored the Saturday welcome snacks, making sure everyone started the weekend energized and off on the right foot.

 

These creative touches and the generosity of our fancy brought an extra layer of fun and welcoming energy to the event. The rings ran beautifully, and the quality of the cats entered was breathtaking. To honor those incredible felines, we presented spectacular Star Wars-themed rosettes created by Crystal Wood. We have always loved her work, and we were so excited that she would produce these custom rosettes and our “New Grand” ribbons for us!

The fun certainly didn’t stop when judging ended for the day. On Saturday night, we hosted a “galactic hospitality suite” that brought out the true spirit of our fancy. Complete with karaoke, it was a chance for everyone to let their hair down and celebrate. Remember, what happens in Jacksonville, stays in Jacksonville!

The festive energy carried right over into the next day. On Sunday, we shared a fun Star Wars-themed cake, giving everyone a sweet, simple moment to pause, grab a slice, and celebrate a fantastic weekend of competition together.

Beyond the rings, it was this sense of community that truly defined the event. Seeing familiar faces, welcoming new exhibitors, and watching the public engage with our beloved breeds reminded us exactly why we put so much effort into the planning.

 

Looking Forward

As we packed up the hall on Sunday evening—exhausted but elated—there was a collective sense of pride. A New Hope Cat Club’s inaugural show wasn’t just a success on paper; it was a celebration of the cats, the people who love them, and the power of club collaboration. We’ve learned a lot from this first run, and the wheels are already turning for how to make our next show even better.

To our incredible volunteers, ring clerks, and stewards, as well as everyone who entered, judged, vended, and the many spectators that came to the show: Thank you. You are the reason A New Hope’s first chapter was so memorable. May the Force be with us all until next year!