Anthrocon
Encyclopedia
Anthrocon is the world's largest furry convention
, taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
each June or July. Its focus is on furries
: fictional anthropomorphic
animal characters in art and literature. The convention was first held in 1997 in New York State, and draws over 4,000 attendees annually.
Anthrocon (AAC) in New York State, with a membership of about 500, the convention moved to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
in 1999 and 2000; then to a larger hotel, the Adams Mark, on the outskirts of Philadelphia in 2001. Attendance grew each year, Anthrocon becoming the largest furry convention in 2001 with an attendance of 1,457; in 2004 it had climbed to 2,404.
Due to the unforeseen sale of the Adams Mark Hotel in November 2004, Anthrocon chose the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia as the site for its 2005 convention. Attendance that year dropped slightly to 2,373, due in part to higher parking fees, a different and unfamiliar hotel (the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in downtown Philadelphia), and possibly due to Hurricane Dennis
's effect on the southern United States which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling. In June 2005, a contract with the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh was signed, and Anthrocon was scheduled to be held at the adjoining David L. Lawrence Convention Center
between June 15 and 18, 2006. Despite concerns that the move to Pittsburgh and temporary date shift would decrease attendance, it actually rose to 2,489, which was enough to ensure the future of the convention in Pittsburgh.
In 2007 Anthrocon was featured in the Guinness World Records
(2008 Edition) as the "largest furry fan club" in the world. At closing ceremonies of the 2007 convention it was announced that another claim has been made for the record of "most mascots in a parade". The Guinness Worlds Record organization was to be present in 2008 to verify the new record.
In 2008, Anthrocon became the first furry convention to have an attendance exceeding 3,000 members, the official count reaching 3,390. In 2009, attendance rose 11% to 3,776, and the Fursuit Parade count jumped to 640—a 41% increase. Anthrocon brings approximately $3 million to the Pittsburgh economy, and is among the city's top ten largest conventions.
Anthrocon 2010 had an attendance of 4,238, the first furry convention to exceed 4,000 members. The attendance count for 2011 was 4,400, with 869 in the fursuit Parade, and the small growth was attributed to the convention filling all contracted hotel space in early May. Anthrocon currently contracts for rooms across four hotels in Pittsburgh.
The chairman of the convention since 1999, Dr. Samuel Conway
(nicknamed "Kagemushi" or "Uncle Kage" among attendees), oversees the operations of the Anthrocon with the help of a small staff and a number of volunteers who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist the multitude of small tasks which arise. Since 1997, Anthrocon has donated more than $96,000 to animal-related charities.
Anthrocon provides a number of specialized 'tracks' of programming with similar furry based themes and scheduled 'events'.
The programming tracks involve discussions and work groups focused on the application of furry in Art, Comedy and Improv, Computer Gaming, Costuming (Fursuits), Music, Puppetry, Role-Playing (both gaming and real-life), and Writing.
The scheduled events that take place are the Charity Auction, the Masquerade, the Fursuit Parade, nightly dances, Art Show Auctions, and special presentations by Uncle Kage and "2 the Ranting Gryphon".
The Zoo has existed as such in Anthrocon programming since 2000, except in 2005 as there were no rooms available to dedicate for the space, and because the hotel lobby bar was available for essentially the same purpose. There were also an open hotel restaurant and adjacent sitting areas throughout the lobby, ballroom, and mezzanine floor balconies which served as de facto
Zoo space during the 2005 convention. It is currently held in a ballroom in the Westin Hotel.
As a large part of the 'experience' of Anthrocon is interpersonal socialization, the more customary convention programming is ultimately unable to suffice by itself. This, combined with the effects of jet lag
(due to attendees traveling from across the country and even as far away as Japan
), and sleep deprivation due to attempting to attend as many events as possible and meet as many people as possible within the general 4-day time frame of the convention, gives rise to a definite need to have space more or less devoted to small-group socialization, and relaxation without the need to return to a hotel room (an increasingly arduous and lengthy endeavor as the ratio of attendance to convention space goes up).
Furry convention
A furry convention is a formal gathering of members of the furry fandom — people who are interested in the concept of fictional non-human characters with human characteristics. These conventions provide a place for fans to meet, exchange ideas, transact business and engage in entertainment and...
, taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
each June or July. Its focus is on furries
Furry fandom
Furry fandom is a fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. Examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes...
: fictional anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
animal characters in art and literature. The convention was first held in 1997 in New York State, and draws over 4,000 attendees annually.
Background and History
Founded in 1997 as AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
Anthrocon (AAC) in New York State, with a membership of about 500, the convention moved to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
in 1999 and 2000; then to a larger hotel, the Adams Mark, on the outskirts of Philadelphia in 2001. Attendance grew each year, Anthrocon becoming the largest furry convention in 2001 with an attendance of 1,457; in 2004 it had climbed to 2,404.
Due to the unforeseen sale of the Adams Mark Hotel in November 2004, Anthrocon chose the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia as the site for its 2005 convention. Attendance that year dropped slightly to 2,373, due in part to higher parking fees, a different and unfamiliar hotel (the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in downtown Philadelphia), and possibly due to Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Dennis was an early-forming major hurricane in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the very active 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season...
's effect on the southern United States which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling. In June 2005, a contract with the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh was signed, and Anthrocon was scheduled to be held at the adjoining David L. Lawrence Convention Center
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a convention, conference and exhibition building in downtown Pittsburgh in the U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The initial David L...
between June 15 and 18, 2006. Despite concerns that the move to Pittsburgh and temporary date shift would decrease attendance, it actually rose to 2,489, which was enough to ensure the future of the convention in Pittsburgh.
In 2007 Anthrocon was featured in the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
(2008 Edition) as the "largest furry fan club" in the world. At closing ceremonies of the 2007 convention it was announced that another claim has been made for the record of "most mascots in a parade". The Guinness Worlds Record organization was to be present in 2008 to verify the new record.
In 2008, Anthrocon became the first furry convention to have an attendance exceeding 3,000 members, the official count reaching 3,390. In 2009, attendance rose 11% to 3,776, and the Fursuit Parade count jumped to 640—a 41% increase. Anthrocon brings approximately $3 million to the Pittsburgh economy, and is among the city's top ten largest conventions.
Anthrocon 2010 had an attendance of 4,238, the first furry convention to exceed 4,000 members. The attendance count for 2011 was 4,400, with 869 in the fursuit Parade, and the small growth was attributed to the convention filling all contracted hotel space in early May. Anthrocon currently contracts for rooms across four hotels in Pittsburgh.
The chairman of the convention since 1999, Dr. Samuel Conway
Samuel Conway
Samuel C. Conway is an American researcher in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and agrochemical fields of organic chemistry. He has a Ph.D...
(nicknamed "Kagemushi" or "Uncle Kage" among attendees), oversees the operations of the Anthrocon with the help of a small staff and a number of volunteers who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist the multitude of small tasks which arise. Since 1997, Anthrocon has donated more than $96,000 to animal-related charities.
Typical Anthrocon programming and events
There are areas open most of the day to accommodate sales by Dealers and Artists as well as an area to congregate and socialize (see "The Zoo" below).Anthrocon provides a number of specialized 'tracks' of programming with similar furry based themes and scheduled 'events'.
The programming tracks involve discussions and work groups focused on the application of furry in Art, Comedy and Improv, Computer Gaming, Costuming (Fursuits), Music, Puppetry, Role-Playing (both gaming and real-life), and Writing.
The scheduled events that take place are the Charity Auction, the Masquerade, the Fursuit Parade, nightly dances, Art Show Auctions, and special presentations by Uncle Kage and "2 the Ranting Gryphon".
Locations, attendances, and charity donations by year
| Year | Location | Attendance | Charity Donation | Charity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Albany, NY | 300 est | $2,200 | Therapy Dogs/K9 Friends |
| 1998 | Albany, NY | 600 est | $3,092 | Whiskers |
| 1999 | Valley Forge, PA | 842 | $3,600 | Great Valley Nature Center |
| 2000 | Valley Forge, PA | 1,128 | $6,534 | The National Greyhound Adoption Program |
| 2001 | Philadelphia, PA | 1,457 | $7,237 | Reins of Life |
| 2002 | Philadelphia, PA | 1,648 | $13,280 | Canine Partners for Life |
| 2003 | Philadelphia, PA | 1,949 | $8,348 | Support Our Shelters |
| 2004 | Philadelphia, PA | 2,404 | $7,200 | Forgotten Felines & Fidos (FFF) |
| 2005 | Philadelphia, PA | 2,370 | $6,470 | Greater Philadelphia Search & Rescue |
| 2006 | Pittsburgh, PA | 2,489 | $8,407 | Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal |
| 2007 | Pittsburgh, PA | 2,849 | $7,608 | Animal Friends |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh, PA | 3,390 | $13,154 | Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue |
| 2009 | Pittsburgh, PA | 3,776 | $8,993 | Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation |
| 2010 | Pittsburgh, PA | 4,238 | $12,849 | Fayette Friends of Animals |
| 2011 | Pittsburgh, PA | 4,400 | $11,522 | Toonseum |
Themes and Guests of Honor by year
Every year the convention has several Guests of Honor – prominent individuals who are compensated for their attendance and travel expenses. Past Guests of Honor at Anthrocon have included:| Year | Theme | Guests of Honor |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | An East Coast Furry Convention | artist Daphne Lage artist Watts Martin |
| 1998 | Here There Be Dragons | artist Jim Groat artist Jeffery A. Carver |
| 1999 | Join the Furry Revolution | artist Vicky Wyman author S. Andrew Swann |
| 2000 | Furries of Myth and Legend | artist Sara "Caribou" Palmer author Paul Kidd |
| 2001 | Furries in Flight | comic-book artist Dan DeCarlo Dan DeCarlo Daniel S. DeCarlo was an American cartoonist best known as the artist who developed the look of Archie Comics in the late 1950s and early 1960s, modernizing the characters to their contemporary appearance and establishing the publisher's house style... (creator of Josie and the Pussycats) syndicated cartoonist Bill Holbrook Bill Holbrook Bill Holbrook is an American comic strip & webcomic writer and artist. Born in Los Angeles in 1958, Holbrook grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and began drawing at an early age.... |
| 2002 | Inventions | author Lisanne Norman Lisanne Norman Lisanne Norman is a science fiction author. She is best known as the author of The Sholan Alliance series... (of The Sholan Series) artist Heather Bruton |
| 2003 | Creatures of the Night | artist Guy Gilchrist artist Mark E. Rogers |
| 2004 | Summer Games | artist Stan Sakai Stan Sakai is a third-generation Japanese American Cartoonist comic book creator. He is best known as the creator of the comic series Usagi Yojimbo. -Biography:... (creator of Usagi Yojimbo Usagi Yojimbo is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai in 1987. In 2011 IGN ranked Miyamoto Usagi 92nd in the top 100 comic books heroes.-Concept:Set primarily at the beginning of Edo period of Japan , with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, the series features a rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, whom... ) artist Michael Gagne |
| 2005 | Heroes | Peter Laird Peter Laird Peter Alan Laird is an American comic book writer and artist. He is best known for co-creating Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with writer and artist Kevin Eastman.-Early life and career:... (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists... ) Timothy Albee Timothy Albee Timothy Albee is the creator of Kaze, Ghost Warrior. He needed six months to complete the movie, using two computers. He also published the book.- Biography :... (director "Kaze, Ghost Warrior") |
| 2006 | Making History | artist Scott Shaw! Scott Shaw Scott Shaw is an American actor, author, journalist, film director, film producer, musician, professor and martial artist.-Early life:... (creator of a number of comic book and cartoon characters) Diane Duane Diane Duane Diane Duane is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Her works include the Young Wizards young adult fantasy series and the Rihannsu Star Trek novels.-Biography :... (author of several series including So You Want to Be a Wizard So You Want to Be a Wizard So You Want To Be a Wizard is the first book in the Young Wizards series currently consisting of nine books by Diane Duane. It was written in 1982 and published in the next year.-Plot introduction:... |
| 2007 | Looking to the Future | voice actor Rob Paulsen Rob Paulsen Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr... writer Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... artist Carolyn Kelly |
| 2008 | It's a Jungle Out There | animator and Disney Legend Floyd Norman Floyd Norman Floyd E. Norman is an American animator who worked on the Walt Disney animated features Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, and The Jungle Book, along with various animated short projects at Disney in the late '50s and early '60s.- Biography :Norman had his start as an assistant to comic... |
| 2009 | OMG Aliens | character developer and artist Joe Harris Joe Harris Joe Harris may refer to:* Joe Harris , English cricketer in the 1740s and 1750s* Joe Harris , mathematician* Joe Harris , American first baseman in Major League Baseball... character artist and story designer Ben Balistreri illustrator and television producer Bob Boyle |
| 2010 | Modern Stone-Age Furries | author and illustrator James Gurney James Gurney James Gurney is an artist and author best known for his illustrated book series Dinotopia, which is presented in the form of a 19th century explorer’s journal from an island utopia cohabited by humans and dinosaurs... puppeteer and director Jim Martin Jim Martin (puppeteer) Jim Martin is a puppeteer, best known for his roles on Sesame Street. As part of the cast, he has won an Emmy Award. He has been nominated multiple times, and won for "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling" at the Emmys, also for Sesame Street.-Early life:Martin graduated from St... |
| 2011 | The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic | author and illustrator Andy Runton Andy Runton Andy Runton is the creator of the graphic novel series Owly, first published in 2005 by Top Shelf. Before he worked on Owly he was a graphic designer. His artwork is a reflection of his affection for wildlife. Andy currently resides in Atlanta, GA. In 2005, Runton won the Ignatz Award for Promising... writer Peter S. Beagle Peter S. Beagle Peter Soyer Beagle is an American fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays. His most notable works include the novels The Last Unicorn, A Fine and Private Place and Tamsin, and the award-winning story "Two Hearts".-Career:Beagle won early recognition from The Scholastic Art &... |
| 2012 | A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
The "Zoo"
The Zoo is a customary area of the Anthrocon convention space in which attendees may lounge freely, eat and drink, rest, draw, chat, and generally "decompress" from the bustle and crowding of the rest of the convention events going on around them.The Zoo has existed as such in Anthrocon programming since 2000, except in 2005 as there were no rooms available to dedicate for the space, and because the hotel lobby bar was available for essentially the same purpose. There were also an open hotel restaurant and adjacent sitting areas throughout the lobby, ballroom, and mezzanine floor balconies which served as de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
Zoo space during the 2005 convention. It is currently held in a ballroom in the Westin Hotel.
As a large part of the 'experience' of Anthrocon is interpersonal socialization, the more customary convention programming is ultimately unable to suffice by itself. This, combined with the effects of jet lag
Jet lag
Jet lag, medically referred to as desynchronosis, is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders...
(due to attendees traveling from across the country and even as far away as Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
), and sleep deprivation due to attempting to attend as many events as possible and meet as many people as possible within the general 4-day time frame of the convention, gives rise to a definite need to have space more or less devoted to small-group socialization, and relaxation without the need to return to a hotel room (an increasingly arduous and lengthy endeavor as the ratio of attendance to convention space goes up).
External links
- Anthrocon – official website
- PeterCat's Furry InfoPage – Includes schedule and links for other furry fandom conventions
- Anthropomorphic Fandom Convention Information Sheet – Historical attendance figures for all furry fandom conventions
- Invasion Of The Furries – News article about Anthrocon 2001.
- Furries Descend On Golden Triangle – WTAE-TV report about Anthrocon
- It's A Furry Weekend – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article about Anthrocon 2006
- Anthrocon 2004 Report – 2004 GOH Michael Gagne's convention report
- Kelly Frey "Interviews" Some Furries – WTAE-TV Video Interview At Anthrocon 2007
- Anthrocon at WikiFur