Midwest FurFest
Midwest FurFest | |
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Location | |
Website | |
Status | Ongoing |
First iteration | November 17-19, 2000 |
Organizer(s) | Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. |
Subject | Convention |
Resources | Photos, videos, reports: Midwest FurFest resources |
Midwest FurFest (commonly abbreviated as MFF) is the world's largest furry convention with an attendance of 8771 in 2017. It is held annually in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention has been running as a separate entity since 2000.
Contents
History
Midwest FurFest got its start as the furry track for Duckon, a Chicago-based science fiction convention. The furry track was started at Duckon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. The track grew larger each year and it was estimated that by Duckon 8 (1999) between one-quarter and one-third of the attendees were there due to interest in the furry track.
The track ran into problems because it was running out of room to expand without costing other parts of Duckon programming space and time. It was decided that the best course of action was to spin off into a new convention.
Thus Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. was created and Midwest FurFest was born, to take place in November 2000, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The parting was amicable, and Duckon lent a good bit of expertise and manpower to help make the first year of Midwest FurFest a success.
Since then, the convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000 to 10750 in 2018, making it the largest furry convention in the world[1] surpassing the previous title holder Anthrocon in registered attendance in 2017. It has helped raise over $285,276 for various charities.
Midwest FurFest is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., which holds Midwest Furfest and furfest as service marks.
The official Twitter account of Midwest FurFest advises attendees to post on Twitter using the hashtag #FurFest, as many other conventions are abbreviated MFF, one of which takes place at around the same time. Previously, Midwest FurFest suggested using the #MWFF hashtag, for the same reason.
Current event
Midwest FurFest has called the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois home since 2010. Features of the convention include an Artist Alley, Dealers Den, art show, charity auction, dances (including a dead dog dance), the FurFest Lounge and Fursuit Green Room, fursuit games and a parade, opening and closing ceremonies, a photoshoot and a variety show.
Information
Statistics
Year | Fursuiters* | Attendees | Charity |
2017 | 8771 | $85,000 | |
2016 | 7075 | $78,482 | |
2015 | 1378 | 5606 | $62,021 |
2014 | 1132 | 4571 | $31,446 |
2013 | 972 | 3904 | $28,000 |
2012 | 743 | 3216 | $40,500 |
2011 | 574 | 2600 | $19,575 |
2010 | 413 | 2285 | $11,300 |
2009 | 357 | 2040 | $12,799 |
2008 | 358 | 1992 | $15,000 |
2007 | 286 | 1690 | $15,193 |
2006 | 213 | 1422 | $13,049 |
2005 | 1066 | $6,800 | |
2004 | 959 | $7,000 | |
2003 | 800 | $6,500 | |
2002 | 685 | $6,088 | |
2001 | 511 | $6,800 | |
2000 | 473 | $3,522 | |
* Fursuiter numbers are as counted in the parade or group photo |
Guests of honor
Each year, Midwest FurFest selects talent from within the community, with a focus on people who have not yet been recognized.
Charities
Each year, Midwest FurFest selects a local animal-related charity to focus on. The total amount raised is $449,073.81.
Convention chairs
Each year, the of Board of Directors for Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. selects a Convention chair to oversee the following year's event.
References
This article does not cite its references or sources. You can help WikiFur by adding references. For specifics, check the edit history and talk page. Consult the Furry Book of Style for editing help. |
External links
- Midwest FurFest official site
- Midwest Furry Fandom, Incorporated official site
- Midwest FurFest on Facebook
- Midwest FurFest on Instagram
- Midwest FurFest on Twitter
- Photos, videos, reports: Midwest FurFest resources
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