'Furries' To Invade Pittsburgh For Costumed Convention

PITTSBURGH, PA - The streets of Downtown Pittsburgh are about to fill with larger-than-life foxes, rabbits, tigers and other animals. The 23rd annual Anthrocon, featuring people who dress in animal costumes and refer to themselves as "furries," once again is headed to town.

For the 14th consecutive year, the world's largest gathering of anthropomorphics enthusiasts will convene at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This year's Anthrocon takes place July 4-7.

Pittsburgh has embraced the furries over the years, and the furries have responded in kind. Last year's Anthrocon attracted more than 8,400 attendees and pumped in $9.16 million in direct business sales in the city, according to tourism agency VisitPittsburgh. Between 2006 and 2018, Anthrocon has generated $91.6 million in direct business sales.

Many furries as they call themselves, dress in fursuits that usually enclose the body and head. Their dedication to the furry cause is such that they don't mind profusely sweating in garb Antrhrocon officials say easily can reach temperatures of 110 degrees in a matter of minutes.

Is this behavior a bit unusual? The furries don't believe so.

"If we look at the world around us, we will see that anthropomorphized animals are an integral part of our culture, " a statement on the Anthrocon website notes. "We use them to represent our political parties. We talk to our dogs (and some even imagine they talk back, though in their own way). We put a tiger in our tank. We cheer for mascots—anthropomorphic animals dressed in team uniforms—at our favorite sporting events."

This year's Anthrocon includes seminars such as "Fursuit Safety Maintenance and Travel Tips," "Gender Expression in the Furry Community," "Starting or Finding Your Own Fursuit Community," and "Being Furry and Maintaining a Jewish Life." There's also a dance competition, charity poker tournament and the always-popular fursuit parade.

Among those planning to attend:

Highlights from last year's Anthrocon can be seen here: