Your guide to this year's record-breaking Anthrocon
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Furries take over Downtown every year, and this year there may be more than ever. Photo: Courtesy of Shoji Ushiyama/Anthrocon
The city's annual furry convention is back and looking to have a bigger paw print than ever.
The big picture: Anthrocon may break its own record this year, with organizers expecting it to exceed 19,000 attendees. Downtown Pittsburgh will be filled with furries, who wear mascot-like "fursuits" of animals and fantasy creatures.
- Last year set a record of over 17,000 attendees, said outreach director John "K.P." Cole.
Context: Anthrocon has called Pittsburgh home since 2006, after its CEO was wooed to the Steel City's charms by Visit Pittsburgh the year before.
- The four-day convention runs July 3–6 at the David Lawrence Convention Center.
State of play: The convention is at capacity this year for the first time in Anthrocon history, and Cole tells Axios he is hopeful the convention can find more room next summer.
- One idea is to use the new Arts Landing park, which should be ready for the NFL Draft.
What they're saying: Furries aren't as niche or fanatic as you might think, said Cole. He has a few "fursonas" — one's a happy-go-lucky golden retriever pup named K.P. and another is a blue fox named Neptune — but he and other furries treat their fursonas like a fandom similar to sports, just for animals, anime and cartoon characters.
- "Like how it is socially accepted to paint your face black and gold for games, we wear fursuits," he said.
By the numbers: Anthrocon is anticipated to generate over $21.7 million in direct visitor spending, according to Visit Pittsburgh.
- Visitors have booked over 12,000 total room nights, said Visit Pittsburgh.
- "This is a major influence in direct impact to the city. We are filling large and small hotels," Cole said. "We are going to things outside the business center too, like the zoo and aviary and baseball games."
Fun fact: Pirates MVP Andrew McCutchen has posted simply "furries" on his social media several times over the years when the event has come to town, bringing broader attention and acceptance to the convention.
- The Anthrocon flag is black and gold in honor of Pittsburgh's official colors.
If you go: Though the convention itself is fully booked, furries and non-furries can take part in a few activities nearby.
- The Fursuit Parade: More than 5,000 people are expected to march a route starting and ending at 10th Street underneath the convention center. The parade starts at 2pm Saturday.
- Anthrocon Block Party: Penn Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets will be taken over by furries from 4–10pm. Come meet some furries, take selfies and mingle.
- Harris Theater Screenings: The Downtown arts theater on Liberty Avenue will screen some furry-approved films: the Academy Award-winning animated film "Flow" on Friday at 3pm, and the Academy Award-nominated film "Wolfwalkers" on Saturday at 4pm.
What to expect: Cole said that about 35% of attendees are in costumes, so don't expect everyone to be in a fursuit.