'The Furries' nuzzle up to Pittsburgh at 2014 Anthrocon convention
Courier Newsroom
Clarissa Beckles from East Liberty and Melanie Reid from Highland Park came down on their lunch break to see the furries. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
PITTSBURGH –Anthrocon, the world’s largest convention for artists, animators, costumers, puppeteers and fans fascinated with animal characters, returned to the City of Pittsburgh for its 2014 annual convention from July 3-6 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
This year, the Anthrocon Convention, also known as “The Furries”, drew over 5,800 participants.
On July 5, over 1,300 attendees in full head-to-foot costumes (“fursuits”) posed for a group photo before participating in a parade inside the convention center. The unofficial count of full suiters in one place at one time is estimated to be 1,326 in this shot in a room in the David Lawrence Convention center. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Fast Facts:
The conference will generate an estimated $7,074,236 in direct spending to Pittsburgh’s economy.
Since its first convention here in 2006, Anthrocon has contributed more than $34 million in direct spending.
Anthrocon has raised over $200,000 for local charities. This year’s charity is the National Aviary.
Delegates come from all over the world, and range in age from 1 to 85 years old The Furries get down on the dance floor during a rave dance party held at the David Lawrence Convention center. (Photo by J.L. Martello) A young African American woman dances in a partial suit at the Anthrocon Rave dance party. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
An 18 year old African American girl from Texas in a fur suit goes by the name “Akarie” (Photo by J.L. Martello) An African American young man from Connecticut in a fur suit looks to be holding the 9th street bridge up and goes by the name “Veil Shadopaw” (Photo by J.L. Martello) Like M.I.B. Men in Black these Furries are F.I.B. “Furs In Black” which goes with this year’s Anthrocon Theme Secret Societies such as the M.I.B. or F.I.B. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
