Instead of the Kaufmann’s Clock, Pittsburgh will have a new meeting spot this weekend — “Meet me at Anthrocon Avenue and Furry Way.”
The Downtown intersection of Penn Avenue and 10th Street has been renamed in honor of the annual Anthrocon convention at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Every summer, anthropomorphics — people dressed as human-like animal characters — travel from all over the world to Pittsburgh. The group is a collection of artists, animators, writers, costumers, puppeteers and anyone who enjoys cartoon animals.
“Pittsburgh is such a vibrant, welcoming city,” said John “KP” Cole, of Orlando, Fla., public outreach director for the convention. His character is based on a dog he owned that was a golden retriever, yellow Labrador mix. “It is such a friendly place. We love coming here. It’s a part of our summer routine.”
Throughout the four-day event Thursday through Sunday, there will be workshops and lectures as well as a parade and block party.
Called “furries” or people wearing “fursuits,” they have been arriving since Monday. VisitPittsburgh president and CEO Jerad Bachar said via email he is thrilled to have Anthrocon back. He said they are anticipating 13,000 attendees, up 30% from last year.
He estimates the economic impact to be 40% greater this year at about $14.5 million.
Related
• 2022: Photo gallery: Anthrocon in Pittsburgh
• 2019: Furries feel the love from Pittsburghers as Anthrocon begins
• 2017: Photo gallery: Anthrocon in Pittsburgh
Overall, since 2006, Anthrocon’s annual convention has generated a cumulative $82.1 million in direct business sales, according to Bachar.
“This conference is unique to many others that we host annually because attendees socialize heavily beyond the (convention center), bringing a significant economic impact to the region,” Bachar said. “They are occupying 16 different participating hotels and can be expected to get most, if not all, of their meals from local restaurants and bars, particularly in the Downtown area.”
The theme
The street names have been in the works for a few years now — that’s why they chose “Anthropolis: Our Furry City” as the theme this year, Cole said, which is in honor of Pittsburgh.
“For a lot of furries, coming to Pittsburgh is magical,” he added. “They are welcomed the minute they get off the plane or drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. That view is one of a kind. When we are here, Pittsburgh is the furry city.”
The avid group has been coming here since 2006, though they missed 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. They can be seen walking the streets – some in full costume, others in a partial fursuit, which is a head, hands, feet and tail.
An investment
The fursuits are an investment. There are basically two types — cartoon and realistic. A third choice is a cross between both cartoon and realistic.
Prices range from hundreds to thousands. The average cost is $3,000-$5,000. Some are custom made with accessories to help keep the furries cool in hot summer weather. Temperatures the next four days are expected to range from in the 80s to close to 90 degrees.
On the water
Don’t be surprised if you see furries both on land and water. When they come into the city, they engage in activities from dining and shopping to boat tours on the Gateway Clipper.
Cole said it’s a unique way to see the city and get photos they can’t get on land.
Most of them dress for the boat ride, which gives them access to views of PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.
“The Pittsburgh skyline is beautiful,” Cole said. ”To see it from the river is special. The boat ride also becomes a place for camaraderie and building friendships with other fursuits. They interact and make friends. It’s a team-building type of thing. And the people of Pittsburgh wave at us and we wave back.”
There are cruises Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Block Party/Parade
This will be the second year for the block party with live music from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Streets will be closed on Saturday between 9th and 11th streets beginning at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The intersection of Penn Avenue and 10th Street will be host to a chalk art area. Anyone at the block party is welcome to contribute to the chalk art.
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At 2 p.m. on Saturday, some of the furries will participate in a parade, which will include a marching band of 10-15 furries playing musical instruments.
The fursuit parade begins inside the convention center and will head outdoors along 10th Street between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue into the block party site.
Security
Cole said they have been working with City of Pittsburgh Police, local EMS, the Allegheny Country Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals to keep everyone safe this weekend.
The convention also has a safety team.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” Cole said. “We have not had problems in Pittsburgh.”
He said most of the need is to make sure people don’t go into areas they shouldn’t and if there is a medical emergency that someone is taken care of as fast as possible. The safety teams helps with traffic in terms of getting people moving throughout the convention center and surrounding areas.
“Pittsburgh loves when we visit. The city plays with us,” Cole said. “Every hotel has a furry mascot. Pittsburgh is an example of a great American city. I know some furries who have re-located here. It’s an artistic city. It has personality.”
The convention schedule can be found here.
Furry etiquette
There are some things to know about how to treat and engage with furries. Not all fursuiters will talk. It’s up to each individual performer and how they choose to portray their character as speaking or non-speaking. In some instances, a non-speaking character will have a handler nearby that will answer questions for them.
Do
Ask for permission for hugs and photos both verbally and nonverbally — you can extend your arms wide as some fursuiters may be hard of hearing.
Keep in mind that some fursuiters do not want to be hugged or touched while in costume.
Talk loud and clear to get a fursuiter’s attention.
Be patient when trying to get a fursuiter’s attention if they’re already interacting with someone else.
Realize that some fursuiters have very limited vision, particularly those costumes with realistic-style eyes.
Give fursuiters a little bit more physical space if you see them moving in a tight or narrow area, especially elevators.
Compliment the fursuiter.
Do not
Surprise a fursuiter from behind.
Ever physically pick up a fursuiter without permission.
Pull on or touch fursuit parts or accessories, beyond incidental contact from a hug.
Interact with fursuiters if you’re holding food or drink.
Use flash photography without asking for explicit permission.
Say anything negative about or otherwise criticize someone’s fursuit.
Source: Anthrocon
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne by email at jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .