Thursday May. 28, 2026
It's time to get ready for the main event of the weekend! Our Head Tallywacker is prepared to get you signed up for all the excitement the weekend has to offer! Pick which side of the competition you will participate in if not both. It's all for fun but if you are nervous about competing you can also show in exhibition. There are some amazing ribbons on the tine for everyone to win!
Even if you aren't competing don't forget to scope out the competition and get the inside scoop about what they are feeling comfortable on. The benefit of this event being human pets is you might get an edge in the betting pools! Talking to the right pets might give you just the tip you need to win the big jackpot!
While you are here you can also sign up for our amazing Knot a Contest and the Little Scouts Scavenger Hunts!
It's time to pucker up! In House Exemplar we have a joke running competition of who can get the most kisses in one weekend. Well we have brought that competition to Midwest Critter Fest! Besides who doesn't love fun platonic kisses.
The type of kiss can be discussed between the participants. Donations for the kisses appreciated but not required. They will feed back into making our event even better for following years!
Are you wanting to compete this weekend but don't have someone to compete with? Well, that's what the adoption was made for. We are looking for single pets and single handlers to team up together for the weekend during our pet adoption. We will have plenty of time to socialize and make wonderful teams, and who knows your unlikely team could take the gold! This encourages people that might not have talked previously to work together and possibly gain a new friend through it.
The Vet will see you now. Are you competing this weekend? Then we highly suggest you see the vet for your physical and appropriate vaccines. We have to ensure that all of our pets are in top condition before they compete and our vet staff is prepared to serve you. Check in with the front desk to get your appointment. Participants will be given their papers and certification to prove they were seen and who knows you might be called back for an extra check-up.
Do you crave the spotlight? Do you have something amazing to share with the world just haven't had the space to do so? This talent show is for you! All ages are welcome and will have their chance to shine before our wonderful pets take the spotlight. We want to see your stuffy puppet shows, your hula-hoop dance routines and everything in between. The stage is yours show us what you got and leave your mark on the weekend!
Are you wanting to compete this weekend but don't have someone to compete with? Well, that's what the adoption was made for. We are looking for single pets and single handlers to team up together for the weekend during our pet adoption. We will have plenty of time to socialize and make wonderful teams, and who knows your unlikely team could take the gold! This encourages people that might not have talked previously to work together and possibly gain a new friend through it.
Join us for a wonderful campfire to celebrate the first night of our event and enjoy some hotdogs with all the fixins. Bring a Cigar and enjoy the atmosphere or just chat with your friends while you enjoy a beer.
Friday May. 29, 2026
It's time to get ready for the main event of the weekend! Our Head Tallywacker is prepared to get you signed up for all the excitement the weekend has to offer! Pick which side of the competition you will participate in if not both. It's all for fun but if you are nervous about competing you can also show in exhibition. There are some amazing ribbons on the tine for everyone to win!
Even if you aren't competing don't forget to scope out the competition and get the inside scoop about what they are feeling comfortable on. The benefit of this event being human pets is you might get an edge in the betting pools! Talking to the right pets might give you just the tip you need to win the big jackpot!
While you are here you can also sign up for our amazing Knot a Contest and the Little Scouts Scavenger Hunts!
It's often said that good kink is good communication, but yet we often find ourselves in situations where our kinks can present obstacles to typical communication. Pet Play, for many people, can take this to completely new levels - we could communicate verbally, but it would take us right out of headspace! In this class, we'll discuss using a mix of prenegotiation, nonverbal check-ins, and auditory and physical cues to allow our nonverbal headspace to work for our scene communication, rather than against it.
Delta (he/him) is an easily excited, helplessly extroverted, absurdly kinky leather coyote pup with a passion for studying the history and philosophy of queer and kink communities, focusing on Leather and Pet Play. Not one to stick to theory, he spends as much time honing his skills as an active practitioner. Delta currently serves as Route 66 Pet 2025, a national education-focused title, which leads him to teach Pet Play, BDSM, and Queer History classes around the US. Back at home in Madison, Wisconsin, he also teaches Pet Play and related subjects at Bay Six Studio and at local events.
The Vet will see you now. Are you competing this weekend? Then we highly suggest you see the vet for your physical and appropriate vaccines. We have to ensure that all of our pets are in top condition before they compete and our vet staff is prepared to serve you. Check in with the front desk to get your appointment. Participants will be given their papers and certification to prove they were seen and who knows you might be called back for an extra check-up.
Our Bootblack is prepared to help you look your best this weekend.
It's time to pucker up! In House Exemplar we have a joke running competition of who can get the most kisses in one weekend. Well we have brought that competition to Midwest Critter Fest! Besides who doesn't love fun platonic kisses.
The type of kiss can be discussed between the participants. Donations for the kisses appreciated but not required. They will feed back into making our event even better for following years!
There is no need to be put out to pasture or retire from horsing around just because you aren't able to do pony play the way you see everyone else doing it! Do you use a walker or wheelchair, have trouble seeing or hearing, have trouble processing information, or just haven't been able to find your stride to adapt pony play to who you are... then this is the class for you! This class will be an interactive discussion with hands on exploration about how to adapt pony play to fit individuals needs and how adaptations can liberate you to enjoy pony play at a whole new level.
Sprite aka Mystic Storm has been active in Leather/BDSM communities since 2000. She took a few year hiatus from the community due to multiple health issues. With time she learned how to make concessions for her new chronic health issues in order to do what she loves, sharing her knowledge and being a little and human pony. She is the creator of the Pony Pride Flag as well as founder and troop leader of the South Central PA Little Scouts Troop #1863 and the Little Scouts Satellite Troop #12191. Interests include pony play, age play, leather care, relationship dynamics, and a need to think outside the box.
Check our competition page for the break down on all of our classes
Sweeeee Pig Pig Pig! It's time to put your newfound knowledge of primal play to good use. We will be setting some pig players free and it is your job to catch them. Make sure those slippery piggies don't escape your grasp and make them squeal. The ones who catch those wiggly piggies will receive 20 raffle tickets per pig!
Check out our competition page for the break down on all of the classes of competition
Obedience (Sponsored by Chunky_Princess)
Come join us for a beautiful night and some lovely social time. Bring a drink or a cigar and relax into the night with us to ring in the next day. There will be hotdogs with all the fixins!
Saturday May. 30, 2026
Are you an early riser? Do you enjoy getting some early morning coffee or tea to start your day? Well, here is your opportunity to enjoy some time with likeminded people before the excitement of the day starts. Enjoy a small assortment of tea and coffee with all the fixins. Donations always welcome to support the weekend!
Neurodivergency and Petplay. We’ll go over updates to the DSM-5, why a ND person might enjoy petplay, and how you can accommodate pets that may be on the spectrum.
Hunter is a queer transmasc pet that has been active in the community for 4 years. They are the Inaugural Route 66 Pet 2024 and has been to multiple events as an educator and demo bottom. His interests include primal play, cigars and edgeplay. He is also a little, leatherboy and slave with a passion for education. Besides helping out friends he strives to continue fostering a safe space for fellow queer and neurospicy individuals.
The Vet will see you now. Are you competing this weekend? Then we highly suggest you see the vet for your physical and appropriate vaccines. We have to ensure that all of our pets are in top condition before they compete and our vet staff is prepared to serve you. Check in with the front desk to get your appointment. Participants will be given their papers and certification to prove they were seen and who knows you might be called back for an extra check-up.
It's time to pucker up! In House Exemplar we have a joke running competition of who can get the most kisses in one weekend. Well we have brought that competition to Midwest Critter Fest! Besides who doesn't love fun platonic kisses.
The type of kiss can be discussed between the participants. Donations for the kisses appreciated but not required. They will feed back into making our event even better for following years!
Is your pet in line for the vet or a class of competition and don't want them wandering? Well our boarding and stable area is just what you need. You can leave your pet in the care of our volunteers where they will be watched over until you return to collect them.
*The Headspace of a Himbo* is a fun, thoughtful, and queer-centered class exploring masculinity, softness, confidence, and connection through one of pop culture’s most lovable archetypes. More than just a meme, the himbo represents a way of being that blends charm, sincerity, emotional openness, and joyful authenticity. This class invites participants to look at how queer communities reclaim identity and reshape traditional ideas of strength, attractiveness, and self-expression. Through conversation, reflection, and cultural exploration, we’ll unpack why the himbo resonates so deeply and what it can teach us about belonging, visibility, and being fully ourselves. Expect a welcoming space that balances humor with heart, and leaves room for both playful discussion and meaningful insight.
Cameron “Triq” (Illinois Cub 25) is a proud representative of the Bear community, known for his playful energy, chaotic-neutral charm, and dedication to service. As a Den Daddy, contestant handler, and chaos coordinator, he thrives on making sure others feel supported, seen, and celebrated.
Triq’s journey into the Bear, Leather, and Pet communities was rooted in the acceptance he found there—spaces where he was never told he didn’t belong. Now, as Illinois Cub 2025, he channels that spirit forward by helping to create safe, inclusive, and joyful experiences at more than two dozen community events each year.
His motto, “One is glad to be of service,” reflects not just a phrase, but a way of life—whether he’s guiding contestants, organizing fundraisers, or rallying energy at events. For Triq, being Cub isn’t just about holding a title; it’s about lifting up others, embracing mayhem with a smile, and proving that community care is the heart of our shared family.