Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Anthrocon Makes Its Return to Pittsburgh
By Layla Joseph
Anthrocon is making its annual debut in Pittsburgh this weekend, inviting whimsical vibes and characters to the Golden Triangle.
Over 10,000 furries and furry enthusiasts will fill the streets and hotels in the Greater Downtown area.
John “K.P.” Cole has been attending Anthrocon since 1999 and joined the board of directors in 2004, before the convention was held annually in Pittsburgh.
Anthrocon surrounds the furry fandom, or fans of anthropomorphics. Cole said the popularity of the hobby is surrounded by a fascination of animals and animal characteristics that people see within themselves.
“It’s really kind of easy to understand if you think about human nature,” Cole said. “Why are characters like Scooby Doo, Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny so popular?”
“To understand who a furry is, you have to understand who furries used to be,” he said.
Cole explained that many furries used to be children who craved social interaction and acceptance, but sometimes found themselves outcasted by their peers.
“What many of us didn’t get from our peers, we found in the smiling faces of cartoon characters we saw on Saturday mornings,” he shared. “We are simply individuals who never forgot our childhood friends.”
Anthrocon is a social non-profit that organizes donations to a different charity each year. This year, Anthrocon will be donating to Rabbit Wranglers, an organization local to Pittsburgh that’s mission is to help rabbits that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
Cole explained that every year, Anthrocon chooses an organization that helps animals or wildlife. He said that by not focusing on one single charity, they can help a variety of animals and organizations. Last year, the group raised over $40,000 for a Pennsylvania organization called Wildlife Works.
“It’s important to us to try and get the biggest bang for our buck when we give money to charities,” he said. “We want to work with charities where we can make a huge impact.”
“The money goes a lot further with smaller organizations like Rabbit Wranglers, because they’re not used to having large contributions coming in,” he continued. “We help organizations with a huge influx of cash that they’re not accustomed to seeing throughout the year.”
The convention continues to grow in size year after year: the first convention held in PIttsburgh had just under 2,500 people. This year, Cole said the convention will be welcoming friends of the fandom from six continents, making Pittsburgh a destination for people all over the world.
“Our relationship with the city has continued to grow and prosper. Anthrocon has become the event that it is now, not just because of what we can offer as a convention to the furry fandom, but what Pittsburgh offers as a tourist destination,” Cole said.
The people who attend Anthrocon benefit from an organized event and the great offerings of the city, but Pittsburgh also benefits from their attendance.
Cole said that based on the conventions pre-registered attendees, Pittsburgh will see an economic impact of an estimated $14.5 million over the course of the weekend.
He explained that this number was estimated by Visit Pittsburgh, and includes taxis, airport sales, restaurants, shops and over 16 hotels across the great Downtown area.
Along with an influx of traffic, Pittsburghers can expect colorful creatures roaming the streets and activities that are not exclusive to Anthrocon attendees.
On Saturday, a parade along 10th Street will give locals and tourists the opportunity to mingle and see the extravagant costumes, while enjoying music from a marching band, leading to a block party at the end of the parade route.
Cole said that the parade and the block party are open to the general public as a way of giving back to Pittsburgh for being such a generous host.
In addition to the block party festivities and parade, a chalk art display will be featured at the corner of Anthrocon Avenue and Furry Way for artists and community members to express themselves artistically.
Throughout the weekend the convention will feature concerts, panels, an art show, speakers and a game show experience for audience members to become contestants.
“It’s a light hearted, really fun time,” Cole said. “It’s a great way for people to come out and see something that may look a little different and a little more colorful.”
“This is what happens when you really work with an event and the city is willing to work with you,” he continued. “You get this energy that is really in all the world. It’s a global event and Pittsburgh is a great stage.”
