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" — like a happy-go-lucky golden retriever pup named K.P. — 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.

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.

What to expect: Cole said that about 35% of attendees are in costumes, so don't expect everyone to be in a fursuit.

Events for furries and non-furries

A new "floating park" is making waves on the North Shore.

Why it matters: True waterfront dining and entertainment is scarce in Pittsburgh, but Shore Thing offers a space to eat, drink, unwind and catch live events right on the Allegheny River.

Driving the news: Riverlife's 4,800-square-foot floating barge venue opened yesterday, anchoring off Allegheny Landing between the Clemente and Warhol bridges.

• The free-to-board space is open this week when skies are clear, per Riverlife's social media.

Zoom in: Shore Thing is built from 10 retired barges and a shipping container that doubles as a concession stand.

• Braddock's BG Brewing will serve wagyu hot dogs, poke bombs, haluski, macaroni salad and retro treats like shaved ice, plus draft beer, cocktails, lemonade and sodas.
• The solar-powered platform features free events like yoga, live music and arts workshops.
• It holds approximately 200 people. No RSVPs, but if the barge is at capacity, visitors may be asked to wait until it clears out.
• Kids under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

The platform may temporarily close during operating hours due to severe weather. Riverlife asks visitors to check their social media accounts for closure updates.

If you go: 2 Federal St., North Shore

• Open through mid-October. Hours are 3–10pm Tuesday–Thursday and noon–10pm Friday–Sunday.

Share this story

🥒 Sa-Dill-Up. The Picklesburgh festival will host a Pickle Riding attraction that is similar to a mechanical bull as part of this summer's celebration. (Press release)

✈️ The Allegheny County Airport Authority is seeking 3,000-4,000 volunteers to test out the Pittsburgh International Airport's new landside terminal before it opens later this fall. (TribLive)

🇺🇸 The Fort Pitt Museum will raise a 36-foot American flag with help from staff, scouts and visitors in the Fort Pitt Block House in Point State Park on the Fourth of July at 11am. (Press release)

🤖 The Pittsburgh Robotics Network has launched the Deep Tech Institute for Leadership and Innovation, a professional development program designed to cultivate talent across the city's robotics, AI and deep tech sectors with opportunities for all career levels. Applications are open now. (Press release)

One of our Vietnamese coffee shops has added a new location to the city's East End.

The intrigue: Ineffable Cà Phê recently expanded into Point Breeze, attached to new Asian grocery store Enson Market.

Dig in: We visited on a hot morning and got the Viet Cold Brew ($6.50), which combines rich cold brew coffee with sweetened condensed milk. It's decadent, yet thirst-quenching.

The vibe: Brighter than Ineffable's original Lawrenceville location, and complete with white marble, modern couches and bar seating for a quick breakfast.

If you go: The Rockwell Park location is in its soft opening phase ahead of a grand opening later this summer.

• 8am-3pm daily
• 7511 Thomas Blvd. in Point Breeze

Here's a video of a juvenile hawk that visited Chrissy's smart bird bath a few weeks ago in Forest Hills.

Bird buffs, your move: Can you guess this bird?

Here's a clue: These medium-size raptors often swoop in near backyard bird feeders, drawn by easy prey like small songbirds and mammals.

Pro tip: Birds need fresh, clean water all year. Scrub the bath weekly with hot water or a diluted vinegar solution and rinse well to prevent disease.

📩 Reply to this email with your guess.