This past weekend, DeadStarlet and I attended the Hello Kitty Fan Appreciation Party at Royal/T — the meow-off event for the first ever North American Hello Kitty Exhibition …ever! A MUST for all those who claim to love HK.

The Appreciation Party is the first in a series of HK-themed events dubbed Three Apples, celebrating 35-years of feline cuteness. Don’t miss the HK Halloween Party this Saturday, October 31st (with pumpkin carving and costume contests and prizes). And Hello Kitty’s B-Day party on Sunday, Nov. 1st. FREE goody bags for the first 100 visitors! Check out a more detailed schedule here.

But, don’t worry if you can’t make it for the weekend parties you can still go on the weekdays, browse the amazing HK-inspired art and eat HK shaped food ^_^.  Yummy goodness for all kitty fans!

HK Artists Simone from tokidoki and the legendary Yuko Yamaguchi Hello Kitty Mama sign fan art.

Die hard HK fans Judy Chung, Tara P. and Ariene Brandt waited in line for almost three hours to get into the Party last Saturday.

Some people waited all day just to get their artwork signed.

Hello Kitty Exhibition van outside of Royal/T.

Inside, the place was packed. We took a ride on this kitty-licious interactive theme park experience by FriendsWithYou!

More fun and games. I took my chances with the crane machine. Lost!

A room full of every Hello Kitty item in the world! I would stampede a class of 3rd graders to get in there first.

Julie T. and Jennifer Ernester enjoy some cake and tea.

I hate to say it, but Paris Hilton is photographed wearing this dress. Did Hello Kitty just throw up in her cute little mouth?

Hello Kitty is redeemed by Sid Vicious of all people.

DeadStarlet hiding next to a little HK playhouse.

Beautiful sparkly handbags by Judith Leiber. The exhibition was curated by JapanLA and featured 80 other artists, like the 7 foot sculpture featured below by Colin Christian.