Furry Weekend Atlanta

Last updated

Furry Weekend Atlanta
Furry Weekend Atlanta logo.svg
StatusActive
Genre Furry
Venue Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Location(s) Atlanta, Georgia
Country United States
Inaugurated2004
Most recent2024
Attendance15,021 in 2024
Organized byFurry Weekend Atlanta, Inc.
Website www.furryweekend.com
Fursuiters at Furry Weekend Atlanta 2015 Furry Weekend Atlanta fursuiters.jpg
Fursuiters at Furry Weekend Atlanta 2015

Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA) is a furry convention held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. [1] [2] Started in 2004, the convention caters to members of the furry fandom, a subculture focused around fictional anthropomorphic animal characters. Attendance has steadily risen throughout its history, peaking at roughly 15,000 attendees in 2024.

Contents

History

Furry Weekend Atlanta started as an outgrowth of a local furry meetups often held in Atlanta at the homes of various members of the furry fandom. As the gatherings became larger, the idea of formally holding a convention was raised. After several unsuccessful attempts, a plan was made to hold a convention in February 2004. The name Furry Weekend Atlanta was chosen to echo the name of the anime convention held in the city, Anime Weekend Atlanta. The name became a federally registered trademark on December 2, 2008. [3] Originally held around Valentine's Day, the convention was rescheduled to be held mid-March in 2009.

Organization

Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc., is the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation which organizes the Furry Weekend Atlanta convention. Furry Weekend Atlanta Inc. is headed by an executive committee and in addition to operating the annual convention, promotes the acceptance of the furry fandom in the southeast United States. Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc. retains only the funds necessary for the organization of the Furry Weekend Atlanta convention, and donates the rest to charities. [4]

Charity

From 2005 to 2006, Furry Weekend Atlanta supported the Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary, a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation center located in Ellijay, Georgia. Furry Weekend Atlanta attendees donated almost $4,000 to the Sanctuary in 2006, and almost $3,000 in 2005. From 2007 to present, Furry Weekend Atlanta has supported the Conservator's Center, a nonprofit organization working to preserve threatened species. [5]

Furry Weekend Atlanta attendance by year Furry Weekend Atlanta attendance.jpg
Furry Weekend Atlanta attendance by year

Furry Weekend Atlanta by year

YearDates [6] Location [6] Attendance [6] Charity
Donation
CharityTheme [6] Guests of Honor [6]
2004February 13–15Holiday Inn Atlanta270Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary
  • Fursuit maker and graphic artist Valentina Caicedo
2005February 11–13Holiday Inn Atlanta500$3,000Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary
  • Artist Jessica Maia Albee, aka "Jessie T. Wolf"
  • Artist "Fel"
2006February 17–19Holiday Inn Atlanta563$4,000Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary
2007February 16–18Sheraton Gateway Hotel762Conservator's Center
  • Artist "Strider Orion"
  • Artist Daria McGrain
2008February 15–17Sheraton Gateway Hotel1,046$5,001Conservator's Center
  • Artist "Bonk"
  • Fursuiter "TILT Longtail"
2009March 19–22Hilton Atlanta1,371$5,054Conservator's CenterOn Safari
  • Musician Matthew Ebel
  • Artist "Lizardbeth"
2010March 25–28Hilton Atlanta1,564$4,600Conservator's CenterCarnaval!
  • "Kami Cheetah"
2011March 17–21Sheraton Atlanta Hotel1,621$8,000Conservator's CenterFurries in Wonderland
  • Fursuit makers and fursuiters Lacy and Nick
  • Artist Zhivago Daemon
2012March 15–19Sheraton Atlanta Hotel1,902$18,000Conservator's CenterFurries at the Moulin Rouge
  • Author Kyell Gold
  • Artist and writer Rukis Croax
2013March 14–17 Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel 2,396$18,400Conservator's Center [7] [8] Still in Love
  • Artist and fursuiter Jimmy Chin
  • Artist Hibbary
2014March 20–23Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel2,488$20,000Conservator's CenterFurry University
  • Artist and fursuiter "Louvelex"
2015April 9–12 Atlanta Marriott Marquis 3,252$28,000Conservator's CenterShangri La: Furgotten Orient
  • Artist Reimina Clover Keishana
  • Artist "Silverfox5213"
2016March 31 – April 3Atlanta Marriott Marquis3,431$28,922Conservator's CenterCamp Furry Weekend
  • Artist "Demicoeur"
2017April 6–9Atlanta Marriott Marquis4,274$35,000Conservator's CenterGame On!
  • Artist "Chibi-Marrow"
  • Syber
2018April 4–8Atlanta Marriott Marquis5,193$50,000Conservator's CenterGalactic Gunslingers
  • Strype
  • Kazul
2019May 9–13Atlanta Marriott Marquis5,645$50,000Conservator's CenterPirates
2020Cancelled [9]
Originally scheduled for May 7–11
Atlanta Marriott MarquisConservator's CenterThe Enchanted Forest
  • Marc Knelsen / El Ranno
2021Convention moved online May 7–8At HomeConservator's CenterThe Enchanted Forest
2022May 5–9Atlanta Marriott Marquis7,212$50,000Conservator's CenterThe Enchanted Forest
  • Marc Knelsen / El Ranno
2023May 11–14Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta10,328UnreleasedConservators CenterThe Lost City
  • Artist "Jacato"
2024May 9–12Atlanta Marriott Marquis15,021$100,000Lost N Found YouthFurry University: Homecoming
  • Logan Preshaw (Wickedinsignia) [10]
2025

(Upcoming)

May 8–11Atlanta Marriott MarquisFuturePunk
  • Jonathan Vair Duncan
  • Sasha R. Jones
  • Red Means Recording [11]

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References

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  4. "Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc". Furry Weekend Atlanta. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  5. "Our Charity – Conservators' Center, Inc". Furry Weekend Atlanta. Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Furry Weekend Atlanta's History - Past Conventions". Furry Weekend Atlanta. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  7. Dyer, Candice (March 13, 2013). "Furry Weekend Atlanta turns 10". Atlanta . Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
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  9. Garger, Kenneth (March 17, 2020). "Atlanta furry convention canceled due to coronavirus". Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  10. Furry Weekend Atlanta. "2024 Guest of honor reveal" . Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  11. Furry Weekend Atlanta (May 12, 2024). "FWA 2025 Theme Announcement". Twitter.