Midwest FurFest

Last updated

Midwest FurFest
MidwestFurFestLogo.png
StatusActive
Genre Furry
Venue Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Location(s) Rosemont, Illinois
Country United States
Inaugurated2000
Most recent2023
Attendance15,547 in 2023
Organized byMidwest Furry Fandom, Inc.
Filing status501(c)3
Website www.furfest.org

Midwest FurFest (MFF) is a furry convention that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois, usually on the second weekend after Thanksgiving. [1] First held in 2000, MFF is presented by Midwest Furry Fandom Inc, an Illinois Educational Not-For-Profit Corporation that exists primarily for the purpose of holding an annual convention to facilitate education in anthropomorphic literature and art. It also facilitates the donation of funds to non-profit institutions, mainly of which promote the well-being of humans and/or animals. The convention is among the most attended furry conventions in history, peaking at 15,547 attendees in 2023.

Contents

Background and history

Midwest FurFest started as a furry focused part of the now defunct DucKon, a Chicago-based science fiction convention. [2] The furry portion of the original convention was started at DucKon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. Interest grew each year, and it was estimated that by DucKon 8 (1999) between one-quarter and one-third of those attended present due to interest in the furry component of the convention. [1]

Interest in furry specific activities grew to a size that it was no longer feasible to exist as a part of DucKon, and the convention was spun off in 2000, with the creation of Midwest Furry Fandom Inc., with the first MFF happening in November 2000. [1] The convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000 to 13,641 in 2022, making it the largest furry convention in the world by more than 3,900 attendees over the previous largest convention, Anthrocon. [3] It has helped raise over US$900,000 for various charities. [4] [5]

Incidents and controversies

2014 gas attack

On December 7, 2014, a gas leak occurred at the Hyatt hotel in Rosemont, which was accommodating attendees. The hotel was evacuated, and 19 guests were hospitalized. [6] Later, an investigation found a broken glass bottle containing a concentration of chlorine powder inside the building. [7] [8] 18 of the 19 people hospitalized were released soon after and the convention continued. Rosemont Police interviewed hotel guests and employees, as well as employees at local stores which sell chlorine. While these interviews and subsequent investigation did not result in any known suspects or charges, police continue to treat this as a crime. [9] [10]

Milo Yiannopoulos

On September 15, 2019, Milo Yiannopoulos announced his intention to attend that year's convention. After significant backlash from other attendees on social media, Yiannopoulos was swiftly banned from the convention the following day. [11]

Bluetooth Low Energy spam attack

At the 2023 festival an attendee tweeted that the Android device they used to control their insulin pump had been interfered with by a Bluetooth Low Energy spam attack. [12] They said that if they hadn't been able to fix their Android device they would have had to go to the hospital. [12]

Locations, attendances, and charity donations by year

YearLocationAttendanceCharity
Donation
Charity
2000 Arlington Heights, Illinois 473$3,522Wolf Park, Valley of the Kings big cat sanctuary, and Chicago House
2001511$6,800Animals for Awareness
2002 Schaumburg, Illinois 685$6,088Animals for Awareness
2003800$6,500Animals for Awareness
2004959$7,000Furry Friends Foundation
20051,066$6,800Wildlife in Need
20061,422$13,049Safe Haven Wildlife Refuge
20071,690$15,193Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation
2008 Wheeling, Illinois 1,992$15,000Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy
20092,040$12,799Kane Area Rehabilitation and Education for Wildlife
2010 Rosemont, Illinois 2,285$11,300Castaway Pet Rescue
20112,600$19,575Animal Education and Rescue
20123,216$40,500Felines & Canines
20133,904$28,000One Tail at a Time
20144,571$31,446Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary
20155,606$62,021Save-A-Vet
20167,075$78,482Felines & Canines
20178,771$85,000CRISP
201810,989 [13] $94,000 [14] SitStayRead
201911,019 [15] $224,704 [15] Felines & Canines
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Rosemont, Illinois9,332 [16] $74,303 [16] Mission Companion Paw
202213,641 [17] $106,683.66The Street Dog Coalition
202315,547 [18] $185,758.31 [19] Live Like Roo

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry fandom</span> Subculture interested in anthropomorphic animals

The furry fandom is a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters. Some examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, speaking, walking on two legs, and wearing clothes. The term "furry fandom" is also used to refer to the community of people who gather on the Internet and at furry conventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthrocon</span> Pittsburgh furry convention

Anthrocon is an annual furry convention that takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, each June or July. It caters to furries, which are fans of fictional anthropomorphic animal characters in art and literature. The convention was first held in 1997 in Albany, New York, and moved multiple times before settling at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2006, the convention has drawn millions in financing to the local economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ConFurence</span> First furry convention, held from 1989 to 2003

ConFurence was the first exclusively furry convention, held annually in southern California from 1989 to 2003. The large furry presence at the BayCon science fiction conventions instigated Mark Merlino and Rod O'Riley to throw "furry parties" at Westercon, Baycon, and other west coast sci-fi conventions in the late 80's. This led to the test gathering in 1989, ConFurence Zero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fursuit</span> Costume worn by members of the furry fandom

Fursuits are custom-made anthropomorphic animal costumes owned and worn by cosplayers and members of the furry fandom, commonly known as "furries"; a furry who wears a fursuit is called a fursuiter. The term is believed to have been coined in 1993 by Robert King. Unlike mascot suits, which are usually affiliated with a team or organization, fursuits represent an original character created by their wearer, and are often better-fitting and more intricately crafted, with features such as a moving jaw. Fursuits are made in a wide range of styles, from cartoonish to highly realistic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurofurence</span> European furry convention

Eurofurence is a furry convention, initially held in changing places in Europe every year, but staying in Germany since 2004. It was originally started in 1995 as a private gathering by nineteen European furry fans who met on the Internet. Attendance has been steadily rising since then, to 3,495 at Eurofurence 26, making it the second largest furry convention outside the United States after NordicFuzzCon. The name of the convention derives from its then-contemporary American counterpart ConFurence, emphasising the European nature of the gathering.

Robert Stratton "Buck" Coulson was an American science fiction writer, well-known fan, filk songwriter, fanzine editor and bookseller from Indiana.

MFF may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry convention</span> Formal gathering of members of the furry fandom

A furry convention is a formal gathering of members of the furry fandom – people who are interested in the concept of fictional non-human animal characters with human characteristics. These conventions provide a place for fans to meet, exchange ideas, transact business and engage in entertainment and recreation centered on this concept. Originating in California during the mid-1980s, as of 2016 there are over 50 furry conventions worldwide each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Conway</span> American chemist and furry fandom personality

Samuel Charles Conway is an American researcher in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and agrochemical fields of organic chemistry. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Dartmouth College. Aside from his scientific career, Conway is known for his activities in the furry fandom, having served since 1999 as chairman and chief organizer of Anthrocon, one of the top largest furry conventions in the world. He is a published author, and has acted as a volunteer emergency coordinator, entertainer, and auctioneer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald E. Stephens Convention Center</span> Convention center in Rosemont, Illinois, United States

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, formerly known as the Rosemont/O'Hare Exposition Center, is a convention center located in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Built in 1975, the center has exhibition space of 840,000 sq ft (78,000 m2) and parking available via a Skybridge connected parking garage, which is able to accommodate 8,000 vehicles. It is located near O'Hare International Airport, Allstate Arena, Rosemont Theatre, and Fashion Outlets of Chicago. The facility is named after the late mayor of Rosemont, Donald E. Stephens.

BronyCon was an annual fan convention held on the East Coast of the United States for fans of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, among them adult and teenage bronies. Eleven events were held, with the final one in August 2019 drawing in 10,215 attendees. Though originally planned to run through 2025, it was announced at the closing ceremonies of the 2018 convention that 2019 would be the final year, tying in with the final season of the show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anime Midwest</span> Anime convention in Illinois, US

Anime Midwest is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention is held in the same location as Anime Central.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry Weekend Atlanta</span> Furry convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA) is a furry convention held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DucKon</span> Annual science fiction convention (1992-2014)

DucKon was an annual science fiction convention held every May or June in the Chicago area between 1992 and 2014. The name is a shortening of DUpage CountyKONvention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SonicFox</span> American professional esports player (born 1998)

Dominique McLean, known professionally as SonicFox, is an American professional esports player of several fighting games. They have topped many tournaments, including six Evolution Championship Series (EVO) events for five different game franchises. They are the highest paid fighting game esports player in the world as of August 4, 2019, with over $719,204.94 in earnings. McLean was named Esports Player of the Year at The Game Awards 2018 and included in Forbes's 2020 "30 Under 30" for Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthro New England</span> Furry convention

Anthro New England (ANE) is a furry convention that is held annually in the Greater Boston area of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It was first held in 2015 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but moved into Boston in 2018 at the Boston Park Plaza. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 event was held online. Since 2020, Anthro New England has become one of the top ten furry conventions in the world. Anthro New England moved to a larger venue, the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel for 2023. The latest event in 2024 reached a new attendance record of 4,482 attendees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironclaw</span> Tabletop role-playing game

Ironclaw is a series of tabletop role-playing games created by Jason Holmgren of Sanguine Games, this series features anthropomorphic characters in a setting inspired by class and religious conflicts during the Italian Renaissance. Additionally, Jadeclaw is a related game that is set in a concurrent East Asian setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fursona</span> Personalized animal character created by the furry fandom

A fursona is a personally claimed persona resembling an anthropomorphic animal adopted by a member of the furry fandom. Fursonas can provide numerous roles for the creator. According to The New Science of Narcissism, 95% of those in the furry fandom have at least one fursona; with the Anthropomorphic Research Project estimating that the average furry has between two and three fursonas over the course of their life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RainFurrest</span> Defunct furry convention

RainFurrest is a defunct furry convention in the U.S. The convention was made in 2007 to replace a previous convention called Conifur Northwest. In 2013 it became the fifth furry convention to surpass 2000 attendees. It is particularly notable for multiple repeated incidents and managerial failures.

On December 7, 2014, Midwest FurFest was targeted by a chlorine gas attack, hospitalizing 19 attendees. At the time, Midwest FurFest was the second-largest furry convention in the country, with over 5,400 attendees. The convention took place at the Hyatt hotel in Rosemont, Illinois from December 5 to December 7.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Patten, Fred (3 January 2017). Furry Fandom Conventions, 1989-2015. McFarland & Company. p. 170. ISBN   978-1476663814 . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  2. "DucKon - Fancyclopedia 3". 2018-03-13. Archived from the original on 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  3. Peregrin, Tony (20 November 2019). "Fur the record". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  4. "Midwest FurFest". Midwest FurFest. 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  5. "PREVIOUS CHARITIES". midwestfurryfandom. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  6. "Police investigating chlorine gas incident at 'Furry' convention as criminal act". UPI.
  7. Mazza, Ed (8 December 2014). "Furry Convention Chlorine Gas Incident Sickens 19 Near Chicago". HuffPost . Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  8. "'Furry' convention disrupted as 'intentional' gas incident sends 19 to hospitals". Chicago Tribune. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  9. "The Unsolved Case of the Gas Attack at a Furry Convention". Vice. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  10. "'Furry' Convention Disrupted by 'Intentional' Chlorine Gas Attack, 19 Hospitalized". People.com. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  11. Dickson, E. J. (2019-09-16). "Furries Got an Alt-Right Troll Banned From Their Convention". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  12. 1 2 Toulas, Bill (2023-12-23). "'Wall of Flippers' detects Flipper Zero Bluetooth spam attacks". Bleeping Computer . Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  13. Midwest FurFest [@FurFest] (December 21, 2018). "While we don't consider attendance numbers to be the measure of success, we are pleased to announce the final attendance for Midwest FurFest 2018: 10,989 attendees. Thank you to everyone who attended this year, and we hope to see you again at Midwest FurFest 2019!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 15, 2022 via Twitter.
  14. "Midwest FurFest Raises $92,000 for SitStayRead!". SitStayRead. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  15. 1 2 "Thanks to all our attendees for making this possible — We couldn't have done it without you!". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  16. 1 2 "MFF 2021 wrapup". Midwest Furfest. 23 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  17. Midwest FurFest [@FurFest] (December 4, 2022). "Live from closing ceremonies: Thank you to our 13,641 attendees. You make this convention special!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 15, 2022 via Twitter.
  18. "Closing Ceremonies: Registration at its peak helped nearly 1700 people an hour. Thank you to our 15,547 attendees. You make this con special". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  19. "@FurFest you are an incredible community and you are now and furever part of the Roo Family. They raised $185,758.31 for animals with cancer. We laughed, we cried and we sobbed as I read the total. It will help so many people and animals that need us. We will never forget this". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-12-05.