FurFright
From WikiFur, the furry encyclopedia.
| FurFright 2003 |
| FurFright 2004 |
| FurFright 2005 |
| FurFright 2006 |
| FurFright 2007 |
| FurFright 2008 |
| FurFright 2009 |
| FurFright staff |
| FurFright guests of honor |
FurFright is a Halloween-themed anthropomorphic convention in Waterbury, Connecticut that was founded in 2003.
The con offers a full 3 days of attractions and programming for anthropomorphic/furry fans, and works to benefit animal and environmental charities.
Contents |
[edit] History
FurFright was started in 2003 by Belic Bear and K'gra Leopard as a one day mini-convention, which took place at a cabin in Middletown, Connecticut. Originally 30-50 attendees were anticipated, but more than 160 people registered, and the event turned into an annual convention. FurFright, now in its 7th year, hosts more than 800 attendees from all over the world.
To accommodate its attendees, in 2004 FurFright 2004 was moved to the Sheraton Bradley Hotel, located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The Days Inn and Comfort Suites had to be added as overflow hotels for FurFright 2006 when the Sheraton Bradley completely sold out with over 515 furs in attendance.
With the constant growth of the convention, and the issues of securing overflow space at neighbouring hotels, FurFright amicably parted ways with the Sheraton Bradley and in 2007 moved to a much larger venue, the Holiday Inn Waterbury in Waterbury, Connecticut.
In 2007 FurFright hosted a total of 717 attendees. In 2008 FurFright had 873 attendees, making it the 5th most attended anthropomorphic/furry convention in the world. It retained this position in 2009, with 979 attendees. Due to an outgrowing of the convention programming space, 2009 was the last year in the Holiday Inn Waterbury.
[edit] Current location and timeslot
In 2010 and for the planned future, FurFright will be held at The Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, Connecticut. Due to scheduling issues, 2010's FurFright will be held Halloween weekend, instead of their traditional third weekend of October. 2011 and future years are expected to resume that timeslot. [1]
[edit] Typical Events/Attractions
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- Dealers' Room
- Masquerade
- Charity Auction
- Movie Morgue
- Torture Chamber Arcade (Video Gaming)
- Game Room Of Death (Table Top Gaming)
- Draw or Die! (Artists' Challenge)
- Fursuit Massacre (Fursuit Games)
- FrankenFursuit Competition
- Trick-or-treating
- Costume Contest
- Dance Competition
- Panels, Classes, and Discussion Groups
- Guest Of Honor
- Attendee GOH
- FrankenSponsor/Dealer Social
- Friday Furpocalypse (physical challenges and gameshows)
- Fursuit/Costume Photo Shoot
- Fursuit Parade (2)
- Fursuit Dance
- 80's Dance
- Furry Rave
- Dead Fur Party
[edit] Guests of Honor
- 2006 - artists Taurin Fox and Cybercat
- 2007 - artist Sara "Caribou" Palmer
- 2008 - actor/comedian/performer Beetlejuice and artist Likeshine
- 2009 - Tod Wills and Tilt Longtail
[edit] Charities
Each year FurFright works to benefit a local and national charity through its charity auction.
Past charities:
- 2003: Animal Haven and Vital Ground
- 2004: $500 between CATALES and Vital Ground [2]
- 2005: $1059 between Horizon Wings and the ASPCA of Louisiana [3]
- 2006: $1631.64 between EARS (Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary) and the Retired Greyhounds as Pets of Connecticut, Inc (REGAP). [4]
- 2007: $3000 Moonridge Animal Park[5]
- 2008: $4000 New Leash On Life & Pays De L'ours. A community effort not sponsored or organized by the convention raised an additional $547.26 for Da-fox whose fursuit head was stolen by a hotel guest during the convention.[6]
- 2009: $7770.00 United States War Dog Association[7]
[edit] Organization
FurFright, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Durham, Connecticut. First filing in 2004,[8] its directors as of 2009 were Belic Bear, K'gra Leopard, Sedge Hare, Zero Fox, and Silverpaw.
The FurFright "dripping blood" logo became a federally registered trademark on 13 September 2005.[9]
[edit] References
- ↑ http://community.livejournal.com/furfright/347418.html
- ↑ http://community.livejournal.com/furfright/15348.html
- ↑ http://community.livejournal.com/furfright/57757.html
- ↑ http://community.livejournal.com/furfright/111837.html
- ↑ The Con Bear Report on furfright
- ↑ Bear’s FurFright ’08 Con Report
- ↑ Final War Dogs Charity Total on furfright
- ↑ FurFright, Inc. - Form 990 (2008)
- ↑ FurFright trademark registration - USPTO
[edit] External links
- FurFright website
- FurFright community at LiveJournal
- FurFright on YouTube at YouTube
- Connecticut Grand Hotel
- Photos, videos, reports: FurFright resources (includes official scrapbooks)