Arlington awards Taylor Swift Key to the City during 'Era's World Tour' - and acknowledges her love of cats

She just can’t stop picking up accolades, can she? But in a week that has seen her pick up the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards and nearly every tour stop the ‘Era’s World Tour’ has passed through rolling out the red carpet, the city of Arlington in Texas have decided to award Taylor Swift the key to the city ahead of her three performances in the city coming today (March 31 2023).

The festivities, considered some friendly competition between Arlington, Texas and other locations the tour is stopping in, not only include Swift receiving the honorary key to the city in light of her services for music and philanthropic efforts but Randol MIll Road will be changed to “Taylor Swift Way” in honour of her impending performances. Before cartographers and Google Maps quickly run to update the street name - rest assured it’s only a temporary move, but still one that is set to see fans flock and be photographed underneath the sign.

A set of four-story steel sculptures displayed in front of city hall would also be illuminated with red light, in honour of her massively successful 2012 album, which she recently released a recorded version of. This echoes a similar move that Las Vegas undertook when Swift passed through the area, as Sin City illuminated its Gateway Arches with colours representing different eras of Taylor Swift's career. 

In a pun laden statement to the press that drew upon a number of Taylor Swift songs, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross declared this weekend “Taylor Swift Weekend” and confessed that he too was a Swifty. “Mayor Ross planned to be the person to present Swift with her key to the city, which he hoped she could 'cherish “Forever & Always,” the statement from the city detailed, and views the celebrations as a form of friendly competition with other U.S. cities hosting The Eras Tour to demonstrate its “Reputation as one of Swift’s biggest fans.”

The key to the city is a symbolic gesture that is typically given to distinguished visitors, notable citizens, or individuals who have made significant contributions to a community or society. The key is presented as a token of appreciation and gratitude, and it is meant to signify that the recipient is welcome to the city and honoured for their achievements.

While the key to the city does not grant any official privileges or access to city resources, it is a prestigious recognition that can enhance the recipient's public profile and reputation. It is often accompanied by a proclamation or certificate, and it may be presented in a formal ceremony attended by local officials, community leaders, and members of the public.

Arlington’s cat community to benefit from Taylor Swift’s key to the city

Taylor Swift Weekend and being honoured with a key to the city has also had a knock-on effect to the many feline friends in the city, with the celebrations also extending over to cat adoption services. Residents of the city could adopt a cat (or any animal) from Arlington Animal Services for $40, which was “in honour of Swift’s 40 Top 10 Hits.” Animals that had been in the shelter for an extended time or were elderly could be adopted for just $9, '”in honour of Swift’s 9 No. 1 hits.” 

Swift's affinity for cats is well-known among her fans, and she has even incorporated cats into her branding and merchandise. For example, the cover of her album "1989" features a Polaroid-style photo of her cat Olivia Benson, and her merchandise often features cat-themed designs. Swift frequently posts photos and videos of her cats on social media, and she has even dedicated songs to them, such as "Meredith" and "Beautiful Ghosts."