National Garfield the Cat Day
Settle in with some coffee and lasagna as a nod to the pop culture icon Garfield, the cat who captured our hearts first as a comic strip, then in movies and more.
Capitalize on nostalgia and pop-culture fandom to drive merchandise sales, themed food promotions, and user-generated content around Garfield IP during June.
- Garfield merchandise flash sale: t-shirts, notebooks, pajamas tied to the June observance
- Lasagna & coffee combo promotion at food/beverage venues with Garfield branding
- User-generated content contest: fans share Garfield cosplay or fan art with branded hashtag
- Movie night bundle: stream Garfield films with themed snacks and exclusive merch
Many people don’t know this, but the world-renowned comic strip featuring Garfield is set in Muncie, Indiana. Muncie, Indiana has a population of around 70,000, but the cat population of the city currently remains undiscovered (shall we try and find out?!).
Jim Davis is said to have taken all of the human faculties, that we do not like discussing and anthropomorphized them in our ginger friend. Seems like it was a good idea as Garfield the Cat is now well-recognized in households all over the world.
Garfield, the ginger-furred feline comes with an array of endearing and exciting qualities. His adventures are memorable and his distinctive personality makes him one of the most lovable furry friends in cartoon history. You may not know some of the facts mentioned here; Garfield The Cat certainly has a whole lot of history!
So why is June 19 the day we celebrate Garfield the cat? Well, on this day, in 1978 the first publication of Garfield, which chronicles the life of the lead character was released. National Garfield the Cat Day was started in 1998 by Wanda Thayer, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the famous ginger cat’s first appearance.
Within the comic strips, some of the topical subjects focused on are obsessive eating, love for consuming food, and a distaste of Mondays (does anybody really enjoy Monday though?!). His absolute favorite food is lasagna and many people recognize this as his signature trait.
He also regularly expresses his hatred for going on diets and getting up early. He is well known for his lazy attitude and is also a self-confessed coffee addict! Food and laziness definitely make Garfield distinctive compared to other famous cartoon cats over the world.
Garfield doesn’t just love to eat food but he also has a handful of cookbooks too. One of the most popular Garfield recipe books is called “Garfield – Recipes with Cattitude.”
Some of the recipes in the book include lasagna (of course), pizza, meatball subs, potato salad, banana berry smoothie, the very best stuffing, smoky grilled corn, garlic oven friend, crispy bacon breadsticks and much more!
Which recipe would you choose to try out first if you got your hands on Garfield the Cat’s famous cookbook?
You can see publications of Garfield in nearly 3000 newspapers, magazines, and online journals. Garfield the cat also actually holds the Guinness world record for being the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip too, which is pretty impressive!
Garfield has also been translated into seven languages and is well-recognized across many countries all over the world. In Sweden, Garfield is officially called Gustav. Finland and Norway also switched up the fun-loving felines name to reflect the local values and knowledge.
The popular book “Garfield At Large” made the New York Times bestseller list for two years. This was a major accomplishment and milestone for Garfield the Cat.
The book was originally published by Ballantine Books in the United States in 1980. At one point there were seven on this list at the same time, which meant that the way the list was done had to be changed.
Publishing houses were sending in complaints as other authors couldn’t get on the list due to Garfield the cat!
Host a Dress Up Event
When celebrating Garfield the Cat day why not dress up as the cat himself? Organize a dress-up day at work where everybody has to come as a character from the well-known comic strip. You could donate the money raised to a local charity and make it a real event!
Enjoy Some Friendly Competition
Alternatively, you could set up a local competition whereby youngsters test out their artistic skills by drawing a three-frame cartoon strip based on Garfield.
Watch the Garfield Movie
Another way to observe Garfield the Cat day is to enjoy watching the original movie while eating lasagna and drinking coffee! You could use a hashtag on social media to spread your love of Garfield the Cat throughout online platforms.
Enjoy Some Merch
You could even treat yourself to some brand-new Garfield the cat merchandise such as a new notebook, pajamas or t-shirt. All of these ideas are excellent ways to celebrate Garfield the cat. Spread the word to your family and friends if they aren’t already aware of this unique holiday. It may become a tradition that you never forget; Garfield the cat would be proud at the impact he has made on this day every single year! Hopefully these fun and informative insights on Garfield the car has reignited your love for this plump, ginger feline! National Garfield the Cat Day Timeline1976Prototype Comic Strip “Jon” DebutsJim Davis launches the strip “Jon,” featuring a cartoonist and his pets, which becomes the direct precursor to the Garfield comic.June 19, 1978Garfield Comic Strip Launches in NewspapersThe first Garfield strip, starring the lazy orange tabby, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie, appears in 41 newspapers in the United States.1981Paws, Inc. Is Founded to Manage GarfieldJim Davis creates Paws, Inc. as the company dedicated to producing and licensing Garfield, turning the cat into a global merchandising brand.October 25, 1982First Animated Special “Here Comes Garfield” AirsCBS broadcasts “Here Comes Garfield,” the first animated television special based on the comic, introducing the character to a TV audience.September 17, 1988“Garfield and Friends” Premieres on CBSThe animated series “Garfield and Friends” debuts as a Saturday-morning show, running seven seasons and cementing Garfield’s place in children’s television.2004“Garfield: The Movie” Brings the Cat to TheatersA live-action/CGI feature film, “Garfield: The Movie,” is released, expanding the franchise into big-screen cinema and reaching a new generation of fans.August 6, 2019Viacom Acquires Garfield for NickelodeonViacom (later part of Paramount) announces it has acquired Paws, Inc. and global rights to Garfield, planning new content for Nickelodeon platforms.
Prototype Comic Strip “Jon” Debuts
Jim Davis launches the strip “Jon,” featuring a cartoonist and his pets, which becomes the direct precursor to the Garfield comic.
Garfield Comic Strip Launches in Newspapers
The first Garfield strip, starring the lazy orange tabby, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie, appears in 41 newspapers in the United States.
Paws, Inc. Is Founded to Manage Garfield
Jim Davis creates Paws, Inc. as the company dedicated to producing and licensing Garfield, turning the cat into a global merchandising brand.
First Animated Special “Here Comes Garfield” Airs
CBS broadcasts “Here Comes Garfield,” the first animated television special based on the comic, introducing the character to a TV audience.
“Garfield and Friends” Premieres on CBS
The animated series “Garfield and Friends” debuts as a Saturday-morning show, running seven seasons and cementing Garfield’s place in children’s television.
“Garfield: The Movie” Brings the Cat to Theaters
A live-action/CGI feature film, “Garfield: The Movie,” is released, expanding the franchise into big-screen cinema and reaching a new generation of fans.
Viacom Acquires Garfield for Nickelodeon
Viacom (later part of Paramount) announces it has acquired Paws, Inc. and global rights to Garfield, planning new content for Nickelodeon platforms.