Difference between revisions of "Midwest FurFest"
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− | {{ | + | {{Infobox convention |
+ | |name = Midwest FurFest | ||
+ | |logo = [[File:MFF-2015-Banner.png|300px]] | ||
+ | |subject = [[Convention]] | ||
+ | |location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont]], [[Wikipedia:Illinois|Illinois]], [[Wikipedia:USA|USA]]}} | ||
+ | |url = http://www.furfest.org/ | ||
+ | |status = Ongoing | ||
+ | |first = [[Midwest_FurFest_2000|November 17-19, 2000]] | ||
+ | |final = | ||
+ | |organizer = [[Midwest Furry Fandom|Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc.]] | ||
+ | |charity = | ||
+ | |resources = {{con resources}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{Midwest FurFest}} | ||
+ | [[File:MFF-2015-Logo.png|right|thumb|200px|Midwest FurFest's 2015 Logo.]] | ||
+ | '''Midwest FurFest''', also known commonly as '''FurFest''' or just '''MFF''', is a [[furry convention]] held annually in [[W:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]], USA. The event has been running as a separate entity since 2000 and is presently the [[List of conventions by attendance|world's largest]] in-person [[furry event]] with a held attendance of 15,547 people as of December 2023. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == History == | ||
+ | [[File:Midwest FurFest Attendance (2000-2019) v2.png|right|thumb|200px|Visitor Statistics]] | ||
+ | MFF began as the furry track for [[Duckon]], which is a Chicago-based [[science fiction]] convention. It was started at [[Duckon 3]] in 1994 and was headed up by [[Robert King]]. It grew larger yearly and it was estimated that by [[Duckon 8]] (1999) between a quarter and a 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 move into a new convention. Thus, Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. was created, and MFF was born, to take place in November 2000, on the weekend before [[W:Thanksgiving|Thanksgiving]]. The parting was amicable, and Duckon lent a good bit of expertise and manpower to help make the first year of MFF a success. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Since then, the convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000<ref>[[User:DuncanDaHusky/Midwest FurFest 2005 Registration Report|2005 Midwest FurFest Registration Report]]</ref> to 15,547 in 2023<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurFest/status/1731452105762758666 Tweet] on the Midwest FurFest [[Twitter]]. Dated/Retrieved December 18, 2023.</ref>, making it the [[List of conventions by attendance|largest furry convention in the world]] surpassing the previous title holder, [[Anthrocon|AC]], in registered attendance in the same year, 2023. It has helped raise over $1,130,000 for various charities. | ||
+ | |||
+ | MFF is a production of [[Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc.]], which holds ''[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78958777 Midwest Furfest]'' and ''[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78958792 furfest]'' as [[Wikipedia:Service mark|service marks]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The official Twitter account [https://twitter.com/midwestfurfest/status/668939519668781056] 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, MFF [http://forum.furfest.org/index.php/topic,393.0.html suggested using the "#MWFF" hashtag], for the same reason. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Current event == | ||
+ | |||
+ | MFF has called the [http://ohare.hyatt.com/ Hyatt Regency O'Hare] in [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] home [[Midwest FurFest 2010|since 2010]]. Features of the convention include an [[Artist Alley]], [[Dealers Den]], [[art show]], [[charity auction]], [[dance]]s (including a [[dead dog dance]]), and [[Headless lounge|Fursuit Lounge]], [[fursuit games]], Arcade and Board Gaming, Dance Competitions, [[opening ceremonies|opening]] and [[closing ceremonies]], a [[photoshoot]] and a [[variety show]]. A variety of panels are held all weekend as part of the organizations core goal to <ref> [https://www.midwestfurryfandom.org/| Midwest Furry Fandom Main Page]</ref> facilitate education in anthropomorphic literature, art and performance. These panels range in topics across the many sub-groups of programming: After Dark, Art, Costuming, Fandom, Gaming, Gender & Sexuality, Main Event, Meet & Greets, Multimedia, Nature/Spirituality/Mental Health, or Writing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <references></references> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Information== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! # !! Dates of Convention !! Theme !! Venue !! Location !! Guests of Honor !! Chair !! Attendance !! Percentage change!! Parade count !! Charity Amount !! Notes | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2000|1]] || Nov 17-19, 2000 || || [[wikipedia:Sheraton Hotel|Sheraton Chicago Northwest]] || [[wikipedia:Arlington Heights, Illinois|Arlington Heights, Illinois]] || [[Robert Carspecken|Robert]] & [[Margaret Carspecken]], [[Rapid T. Rabbit]], [[Derrick Dasenbrock]] || [[Robert King]] || 473 || || || $3,522.00 [http://wolfpark.org/ Wolf Park], [http://www.votk.org/ Valley of the Kings] [[feline|big cat]] sanctuary, and [http://www.chicagohouse.org/ Chicago House] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2001|2]] || Nov 16-18, 2001 || || [[wikipedia:Sheraton Hotel|Sheraton Chicago Northwest]] || [[wikipedia:Arlington Heights, Illinois|Arlington Heights, Illinois]] || [[Mary Hanson-Roberts]], [[Jessica Willard]], [[Matt McCullar]] || [[Robert King]] || 511 || +8.0% || || $6,800.00 [http://www.animalsforawareness.org/ Animals for Awareness] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2002|3]] || Nov 22-24, 2002 || || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Ursula Husted]], [[Ysengrin Blackpaw]], [[D.C. Simpson]] || [[Aureth]] || 685 || +34.1% || || $6,088.00 [http://www.animalsforawareness.org/ Animals for Awareness] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2003|4]] || Nov 21-23, 2003 || || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Thomas K. Dye]], [[M.C.A. Hogarth]], [[DBruin]] || [[Aureth]]|| 800 || +16.8% || || $6,500.00 [http://www.animalsforawareness.org/ Animals for Awareness] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2004|5]] || Nov 19-21, 2004 || Around the World in 80 Days || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Ursula Vernon]], [[ScribbleFox]], [[David Gilbert]] || [[Takaza J. Wolf]] || 959 || +19.9% || || $7,000.00 Furry Friends Foundation || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2005|6]] || Nov 18-20, 2005 || Whodunnit? It's a Mystery! || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Gene Breshears]], [[Kenket]], [[Tincrash]] || [[Takaza J. Wolf]] || 1,066 || +11.2% || || $6,800.00 [http://www.eventbrite.com/o/wildlife-in-need-inc-6705112521 Wildlife in Need] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2006|7]] || Nov 17-19, 2006 || County Fair || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Kyoht]], [[WhiteyFawks]], [[Spunky (artist)|Spunky]] || [[Linnaeus]] || 1,422 || +33.4% || 213 || $13,048.96 [http://www.safehavenwildlife.com/ Safe Haven Wildlife Refuge] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2007|8]] || Nov 16-18, 2007 || Critters on the High Seas || [[wikipedia:Hyatt Regency|Hyatt Regency Woodfield]] || [[wikipedia:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] || [[Chilly]], [[Jill0r]], [[Will Sanborn]] || [[Linnaeus]] || 1,690 || +18.8% || 286 || $15,193.00 [http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org/ Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2008|9]] || Nov 21-23, 2008 || North to Alaska || [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1724 Westin Chicago North Shore] || [[Wikipedia:Wheeling, Illinois|Wheeling, Illinois]] || [[Lucky the Evil Dog]], [[Darc]], [[Gyrfalcon]], [[Foxfeather]] || [[Duncan da Husky]] || 1,992 || +17.9% || 358 || $15,000.00 [http://www.rainbowaat.org/ Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2009|10]] || Nov 20-22, 2009 || 10 Years of Midwest FurFest || [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1724 Westin Chicago North Shore] || [[Wikipedia:Wheeling, Illinois|Wheeling, Illinois]] || All previous Guests of Honor were invited back for the convention's 10th Anniversary. || [[Duncan da Husky]] || 2,040 || +2.4% || 357 || $12,799.00 [http://www.kareforwildlife.org/ Kane Area Rehabilitation and Education for Wildlife] || 10th Anniversary | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2010|11]] || Nov 19-21, 2010 || Chicago Blues || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Vantid]], [[The Blue Hyena]], [[Kipper|Kipper Otter]] || [[Takaza J. Wolf]] || 2,285 || +12.0% || 413 || $11,300.00 [http://www.castawaypetrescue.com/ Castaway Pet Rescue] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2011|12]] || Nov 18-20, 2011 || Route 66 || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Rick Griffin]], [[Thornwolf]] || [[Takaza J. Wolf]] || 2,600 || +13.8% || 574 || $19,574.79 [http://www.aear.org/ Animal Education and Rescue] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2012|13]] || Nov 16-18, 2012 || IT CAME FROM TV! || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[FirestormSix]], [[Miss Monster]], [[Nambroth]] || [[Perro]] || 3,216 || +23.7% || 743 || $40,500.00 [http://www.felinesinc.org/ Felines & Canines] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2013|14]] || Nov 22-24, 2013 || The Pirates of Lake Michigan || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Chibi-Marrow]], [[Silver Huskywolf]], [[Sonderjen]] || [[Perro]] || 3,904 || +21.4% || 972 || $28,000.00 [http://www.onetail.org/ One Tail at a Time] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2014|15]] || Dec 5-7, 2014 || Holidays in the City (originally announced as "Bright Lights Big City") || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Lacy]], [[CloudPouncer]], [[D. Walker (Novadog)|D. Walker]], [[Sabretoothed Ermine]] || [[Perro]] || 4,571 || +17.1% || 1,132 || $31,445.93 [http://www.crittercamp.org/ Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary] || Chemical incident | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2015|16]] || Dec 4-6, 2015 || || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Ifus]], [[Mahrkale]], [[Yonoa]] || [[Woody]] || 5,606 || +22.6% || 1,378 || $62,020.71 [http://Saveavet.org/ Save-A-Vet] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2016|17]] || Dec 1-4, 2016 || || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Balaa]], [[Bagheera (person)|Bagheera]], [[Betsy Beaver]], [[DrakonicKnight]] || [[Woody]] || 7,075 || +26.2% || No Parade || $78,482.05 [http://www.felinesinc.org/ Felines & Canines] || First 4-day long MFF | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2017|18]] || Nov 30-Dec 3, 2017 || Grimm's Fairy Tales || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Latin Vixen]], [[Remy Wolf]], [http://www.escapedesignfx.com/ Russ Adams] || [[Kodi]] || 8,771 || +24.0% || No Parade || $85,000 [http://www.aliverescue.org/community-outreach/crisp/ C.R.I.S.P.] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2018|19]] || Nov 29-Dec 2, 2018 || Fly The Furry Skies || [https://ohare.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency O'Hare] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[JD Werewolf]], [[Kyell Gold]], [[Vivzie Pop]] || [[Rama]] || 10,989 || +25.3% || No Parade || $92,794 [https://www.sitstayread.org Sit Stay Read] || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2019|20]] || Dec 5-8, 2019 || 20 Years of Midwest FurFest || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Artkour]], [[Brushwolf Creature Studio]], [[Mary E. Lowd]] || [[Rama]] || 11,019 || +0.3% || No Parade || $112,352 [http://www.felinesinc.org/ Felines & Canines]; matched by anonymous donor for a total of $224,704 || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2020|21]] || Dec 3-6, 2020 || Intergalactic || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Kory Bing]], [[Stuffed Panda Studios]], [[Lynette Eklund]] || [[DataHawk]] || || || || || Cancelled due to COVID-19 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2021|22]] || Dec 3-5, 2021 || Intergalactic || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Kory Bing]], [[Stuffed Panda Studios]], [[Lynette Eklund]] || [[DataHawk]] || 9,332<ref>[https://www.furfest.org/news/2022/1/23/mff-2021-wrapup MFF 2021 Wrapup] from [https://www.furfest.org/ Midwest FurFest]</ref> || -15.3% || No Parade || $74,303 for [http://mcprescue.org/ MCP Chicago]<ref>[https://www.furfest.org/news/2022/1/23/mff-2021-wrapup MFF 2021 Wrapup] from [https://www.furfest.org/ Midwest FurFest]</ref> || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2022|23]] || Dec 1-4, 2022 || Heroes || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Nao Romero]], [[S0LARDOG]], [[AC Stuart]] || [[Duncan Da Husky]] || 13,641<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurFest/status/1599543378718228480 Tweet] from Midwest FurFest [[Twitter]]. Dated/Retrieved December 5, 2022</ref> || +46.2% || No Parade || $106,283.66 for [https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org/ The Street Dog Coalition]<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurFest/status/1599554626872872960 Tweet] from Midwest FurFest [[Twitter]]. Dated/Retrieved December 5, 2022</ref> || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2023|24]] || Nov 30-Dec 3, 2023 || Snow Days || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || [[Wild Acai]], [[Jackaloo]] || [[Duncan Da Husky]] || 15,547<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurFest/status/1731452105762758666 Tweet] from Midwest FurFest [[Twitter]]. Dated/Retrieved December 3, 2023</ref> || +14.0% || No Parade || $185,758.31 for [https://www.livelikeroo.org/ Live Like Roo]<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurFest/status/1731521274688483829 Tweet] from Midwest FurFest [[Twitter]]. Dated/Retrieved December 3, 2023</ref>|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Midwest FurFest 2024|25]] || Dec 5-Dec 8, 2024 || The Great FurFest Heist || [https://www.rosemont.com/desconvention/ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center] || [[Wikipedia:Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont, Illinois]] || TBD || [[Duncan Da Husky]] || TBD || TBD || No Parade || TBD || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Statistics == | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-block; margin: 1 25px;" | ||
+ | |+Midwest FurFest Attendance and Charity | ||
+ | |Year | ||
+ | |Fursuiters* | ||
+ | |Attendees | ||
+ | |Charity | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2023 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |15,547 | ||
+ | |$185,758.31 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2022 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |13,641 | ||
+ | |$106,283.66 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2021 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |9,332 | ||
+ | |$74,303 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2019 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |11,019 | ||
+ | |$112,352, matched by an anonymous donor for a total of $224,704 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2018 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |10,989 | ||
+ | |$92,794 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2017 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |8,771 | ||
+ | |$85,000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2016 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |7,075 | ||
+ | |$78,482 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2015 | ||
+ | |1,378 | ||
+ | |5,606 | ||
+ | |$62,021 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2014 | ||
+ | |1,132 | ||
+ | |4,571 | ||
+ | |$31,446 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2013 | ||
+ | |972 | ||
+ | |3,904 | ||
+ | |$28,000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2012 | ||
+ | |743 | ||
+ | |3,216 | ||
+ | |$40,500 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2011 | ||
+ | |574 | ||
+ | |2,600 | ||
+ | |$19,575 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2010 | ||
+ | |413 | ||
+ | |2,285 | ||
+ | |$11,300 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2009 | ||
+ | |357 | ||
+ | |2,040 | ||
+ | |$12,799 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2008 | ||
+ | |358 | ||
+ | |1,992 | ||
+ | |$15,000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2007 | ||
+ | |286 | ||
+ | |1,690 | ||
+ | |$15,193 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2006 | ||
+ | |213 | ||
+ | |1,422 | ||
+ | |$13,049 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2005 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |1,066 | ||
+ | |$6,800 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2004 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |959 | ||
+ | |$7,000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2003 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |800 | ||
+ | |$6,500 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2002 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |685 | ||
+ | |$6,088 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2001 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |511 | ||
+ | |$6,800 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |2000 | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |473 | ||
+ | |$3,522 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | colspan="4" rowspan="1" |* Fursuiter numbers are as counted in the parade or group photo | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | [[File:ArtySkunk_MFF2022Attendance.png|600px|Attendance]] | ||
+ | |[[File:MWFF-Charity-Graph.jpeg|600px|Charity]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Guests of Honor == | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yearly, MFF selects talent from within the community, with a focus on people who have not yet been recognized. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Charities== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yearly, MFF selects a local animal-related charity to focus on. The total amount raised, as of MFF 2023, is $1,132,917.97. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In 2023, MFF's total amount raised surpassed $1,000,000. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Convention chairs== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yearly, the of [[Board of Directors]] for Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. selects a [[convention chair]] to oversee the following year's event. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | <references/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | == External links == | ||
+ | {{WikiFurNews|Midwest FurFest announces 2007 theme, Guests of Honor}} | ||
+ | {{WikiFurNews|MFF board plans more rooms for 2007}} | ||
+ | * [http://www.midwestfurryfandom.org/ Midwest Furry Fandom, Incorporated] official site | ||
+ | * [http://www.facebook.com/furfest Midwest FurFest] on [[Facebook]] | ||
+ | * [https://twitter.com/FurFest Midwest FurFest] on [[Twitter]] | ||
+ | * [https://t.me/furfest Midwest FurFest] on [[Telegram]] | ||
+ | * [http://www.instagram.com/furfest/ Midwest FurFest] on [[W:Instagram|Instagram]] | ||
+ | * [https://mastodon.furrycon.social/@FurFest Midwest FurFest] on [[Mastodon]] | ||
+ | * [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQbUVlkXk7KUQoRxR_Jj5g Midwest FurFest] on [[Youtube]] | ||
+ | * [https://www.flickr.com/photos/furfest Midwest FurFest] on [[W:Flickr|Flickr]] | ||
+ | * [https://bsky.app/profile/furfest.org Midwest FurFest] on [[W:BlueSky|BlueSky]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | * {{con resources}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Illinois}} | ||
+ | {{Conventions}} | ||
+ | [[Category:Midwest FurFest| ]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Conventions]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Illinois]] | ||
+ | [[Category:2000 births]] | ||
+ | {{Featured article}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[de:Midwest FurFest]] | ||
+ | [[es:Midwest FurFest]] | ||
+ | [[it:Midwest FurFest]] | ||
+ | [[fr:Midwest FurFest]] | ||
+ | [[ru:Midwest FurFest]] | ||
+ | [[sv:Midwest FurFest]] |
Revision as of 01:56, 29 December 2023
Midwest FurFest | |
---|---|
| |
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, also known commonly as FurFest or just MFF, is a furry convention held annually in Rosemont, Illinois, USA. The event has been running as a separate entity since 2000 and is presently the world's largest in-person furry event with a held attendance of 15,547 people as of December 2023.
Contents
History
MFF began as the furry track for Duckon, which is a Chicago-based science fiction convention. It was started at Duckon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. It grew larger yearly and it was estimated that by Duckon 8 (1999) between a quarter and a 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 move into a new convention. Thus, Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. was created, and MFF 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 MFF a success.
Since then, the convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000[1] to 15,547 in 2023[2], making it the largest furry convention in the world surpassing the previous title holder, AC, in registered attendance in the same year, 2023. It has helped raise over $1,130,000 for various charities.
MFF is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., which holds Midwest Furfest and furfest as service marks.
The official Twitter account [1] 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, MFF suggested using the "#MWFF" hashtag, for the same reason.
Current event
MFF 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), and Fursuit Lounge, fursuit games, Arcade and Board Gaming, Dance Competitions, opening and closing ceremonies, a photoshoot and a variety show. A variety of panels are held all weekend as part of the organizations core goal to [3] facilitate education in anthropomorphic literature, art and performance. These panels range in topics across the many sub-groups of programming: After Dark, Art, Costuming, Fandom, Gaming, Gender & Sexuality, Main Event, Meet & Greets, Multimedia, Nature/Spirituality/Mental Health, or Writing.
- ↑ 2005 Midwest FurFest Registration Report
- ↑ Tweet on the Midwest FurFest Twitter. Dated/Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ↑ Midwest Furry Fandom Main Page
Information
Statistics
Year | Fursuiters* | Attendees | Charity |
2023 | 15,547 | $185,758.31 | |
2022 | 13,641 | $106,283.66 | |
2021 | 9,332 | $74,303 | |
2019 | 11,019 | $112,352, matched by an anonymous donor for a total of $224,704 | |
2018 | 10,989 | $92,794 | |
2017 | 8,771 | $85,000 | |
2016 | 7,075 | $78,482 | |
2015 | 1,378 | 5,606 | $62,021 |
2014 | 1,132 | 4,571 | $31,446 |
2013 | 972 | 3,904 | $28,000 |
2012 | 743 | 3,216 | $40,500 |
2011 | 574 | 2,600 | $19,575 |
2010 | 413 | 2,285 | $11,300 |
2009 | 357 | 2,040 | $12,799 |
2008 | 358 | 1,992 | $15,000 |
2007 | 286 | 1,690 | $15,193 |
2006 | 213 | 1,422 | $13,049 |
2005 | 1,066 | $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
Yearly, MFF selects talent from within the community, with a focus on people who have not yet been recognized.
Charities
Yearly, MFF selects a local animal-related charity to focus on. The total amount raised, as of MFF 2023, is $1,132,917.97.
In 2023, MFF's total amount raised surpassed $1,000,000.
Convention chairs
Yearly, the of Board of Directors for Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. selects a convention chair to oversee the following year's event.
References
- ↑ MFF 2021 Wrapup from Midwest FurFest
- ↑ MFF 2021 Wrapup from Midwest FurFest
- ↑ Tweet from Midwest FurFest Twitter. Dated/Retrieved December 5, 2022
- ↑ Tweet from Midwest FurFest Twitter. Dated/Retrieved December 5, 2022
- ↑ Tweet from Midwest FurFest Twitter. Dated/Retrieved December 3, 2023
- ↑ Tweet from Midwest FurFest Twitter. Dated/Retrieved December 3, 2023
External links
- Midwest Furry Fandom, Incorporated official site
- Midwest FurFest on Facebook
- Midwest FurFest on Twitter
- Midwest FurFest on Telegram
- Midwest FurFest on Instagram
- Midwest FurFest on Mastodon
- Midwest FurFest on Youtube
- Midwest FurFest on Flickr
- Midwest FurFest on BlueSky
- Photos, videos, reports: Midwest FurFest resources
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