Furries Invade Pittsburgh

Furries from all over the world are making their way to the City of Pittsburgh for the Anthrocon Convention held this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  More than 4,500 anthropomorphics fans are expected to descend on the city for the annual gathering that began in 1997.  This is the sixth year that Pittsburgh has hosted the event. 

Convention attendees are enthusiasts of art, literature and games featuring anthropomorphic, or human-like, animals.  Fans dress as their favorite cartoon, mascot, or fairy tale characters and will attend lectures and workshops as well as nightly raves at the convention center.  The Furries take on the persona of animals.  They not only dress in full costumes, but some bring litter boxes with them to local hotels to relieve themselves in during their stay.  Local Furry, Gary Guy Matthews of Greentree, has even gone as far as trying to change his name to Boomer the Dog.  The judge sadly denied Mr. Matthews request, but he is continuing to appeal.  The cost is $30 for a day and $50 for a weekend-long pass.  The convention is expected to generate an estimated $5 million to the city.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11175/1155879-53.stm#ixzz1QCHIz4Yd