Anthrocon

This weekend was a smashing success. Yesterday we went downtown to check out a table that was on Craigslist and figured since we were down there, might as well drive over to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and see if we could spot some furries. If you were not aware, and why would you be, Pittsburgh is hosting Anthrocon 2011 this year. Anthrocon is sort of a gathering of furries, although it is also much, much more than that. It was fascinating walking the streets surrounding the convention center, seeing the characters and interacting with them. I first heard about the whole thing from a post by Michelle over at The Burgh Baby. Last year she took loads of cool photos and asked a bunch of questions, then blogged about it. She also went down this year and took more photos.

We took Dagny because we correctly surmised that she would get a kick out of seeing the “doggies” but she is young enough not to pick up on some of the…let’s just call it sexual energy…of the experience. That’s not to say that it’s at all crazy and perverted, because it’s totally NOT. There are just some provocative characters, some of whom have friends who are not afraid of public displays of affection. For the most part, it’s just a lot of fun, I think.

We were not the only ones who brought their kiddos down to check out the convention. Lots of strollers being wheeled around down there. Apparently you have to be registered with the conference to get into the convention center. We just walked around and got to interact with some characters who were hanging out around Toonseum and along Liberty Avenue.

We were too chicken to go poke around at the Westin, which I think is where a lot of conference attendees stay since it’s right across the street from the convention center.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I have a slight inclination to make my own fursuit and cavort with the plush creatures. As well as the less plush. It’s not as if I don’t have experience sewing fur…

I made the panda, m'self. It was a rush job. I know I can do better.

I am fascinated by the whole thing, and I love fantastical imagery. It also happens that the sexy-fied characters are my favorites to gawk at. I wish I had the balls to full on stare at them as long as I’d like to. As it stands, I’m currently afraid to make eye contact.

I still want to make another post about all the fun we had today at New Kensington’s Community Days, but alas it is getting late. Stay tuned for the rest of the story tomorrow.