Anthrocon

2026-07-06T00:13:32Z

2001:2042:9A31:1902:9461:63C8:79D6:DAC3: /* Attendance */ Does the attendance table really need 9 entire columns for data that has never even once been recorded or tracked?

{{Infobox convention
| name = Anthrocon
| othernames = AC, formerly Albany AnthroCon
| logo = [[File:Anthrocon.gif|225px]]
| caption =
| subject = [[Furry]]
| location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[W:Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]], [[W:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], [[W:USA|USA]]}}
| url = https://www.anthrocon.org/
| status = Ongoing
| first =
* July 3-6, 1997 (as '''Albany AnthroCon''')
* July 1-4, 1999 (as '''Anthrocon''')
| final =
| organizer = [[Anthrocon, Inc.]]
| charity = Various
| resources = {{con resources}}
}}
{{Anthrocon}}
[[File:FursuiteratFernando.webp|thumb|right|250px|A [[fursuiter]] dining at [[Fernado's]].]]
[[File:Ac2005fursuitparade.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The fursuit parade at [[Anthrocon 2005]].]]
[[File:Anthrocon2005dance.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A photo of the fursuit dance at Anthrocon 2005]]
'''Anthrocon''' ('''AC''') is an annual American [[furry convention]] and one of the [[List of conventions by attendance|largest]] [[furcon]]s in the world, with an attendance of 20,618 in [[Anthrocon 2026|2026]].

== Overview ==

The [[convention]] was founded in 1997 as '''Albany AnthroCon''', which itself an offshoot of the [[furry]] [[W:Halloween|Halloween]] [[parties]] held by [[Aloyen Youngblood]]; when attendance pushed triple digits, he decided to book a hotel and organized it as a convention in 1997 with the aid of local friends, [[Points]], [[Rigel]], and others. In its first year, the event attracted approximately 500 attendees.

In late 1998-1999, Points transferred the [[chairmanship]] of the [[convention]] to [[Dr. Samuel Conway]]. They formally organized the group as '''Anthrocon Inc.''', later renamed the convention "Anthrocon," and relocated it to Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, Anthrocon's charity auction has donated over $240,000 to local charities. The [[Science Fiction]] [[W: Security|volunteer security force]], the [[Dorsai Irregulars]], provided security for the convention from 2002 until 2019.

== Incorporation and trademarks ==

'''Anthrocon, Inc.''' was incorporated as a [[W:Nonprofit organization|non-profit organization]] on June 25, 1998, registered as a [[W:501(c)|501(c)(7) social and recreation club]] in the state of Pennsylvania (entity [http://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?1738650 2823650]). This classification differs from the [[W:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] status of [[Midwest Furry Fandom]] and [[Anthropomorphic Arts and Education]]; most notably, donations are not tax-deductible to their donors, but in return, the company has more flexibility about its operations, and more leeway to restrict access to non-members, since it's not a club.

Applications to register the word "Anthrocon" and the [[:File:Anthrocon.gif|Anthrocon paw]] as a [[W:trademark|US trademarks]] were filed on [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77001861 September 18] and [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77042065 November 12, 2006]. According to these filings, the word "Anthrocon" was first used on February 1, 1997, while the paw logo was used from June 30, 1998.

== Anthrocon and Pittsburgh ==
[[File:Anthrocon Day.JPG|right|thumb|225px|Uncle Kage, AC's masco AnthroCat, and various furries celebrate '''Anthrocon Day''']]
Currently, Anthrocon operates with the support of the [[W:Pittsburgh|city of Pittsburgh]] and local businesses. AC's own ''[[Show Your Badge]]'' program{{clarify}} works with the city's own ''[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com Visit Pittsburgh]'', which allows [[congoer]]s to visit many of Pittsburgh's landmarks at a reduced cost.

The convention partners with more than a dozen hotels in the city's downtown, offering more affordable accommodations to many pre-registered attendees. It also charter buses from these hotels to the convention center, which attendees can use free of charge.

Some restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh offer Anthrocon-themed specials, most prominently [https://www.pizzaparma.us/ Fernando's] (now '''Pizza Parma'''), a pizzeria that re-themes itself to '''''Furryland''''' during the convention weekend.<ref>[https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]. Dated July 04, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2025.</ref>

Anthrocon generates substantial business for downtown Pittsburgh, with attendees [https://www.wtae.com/article/anthrocon-2024-pittsburgh-business-hotels/61503860 estimated to spend over $70 million] in 2024.

=== "Anthrocon Day" 2026 ===

In celebration of Anthrocon’s 20 years in Pittsburgh, [[Mayor Corey O’Connor]] declared July 1, 2026, “'''Anthrocon Day''',” prompting cheers and celebratory [[dance]]s from colorful furries who traveled from as far away as Mexico City.

Wednesday’s announcement offered a chance to reflect on what has become an unlikely economic engine for a former industrial city. Since its debut, the convention has generated $163.9 million in direct spending in [[Allegheny County]], while attendees have donated more than $600,000 to local [[charities]], including this year’s beneficiary, ''[[J&J Farms Animal Sanctuary]]''.

== History ==
=== Locations and relocations ===

Anthrocon's first venue was the [[W:Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton Hotel]] of [[W:Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge, Pennsylvania]] in 1999 and 2000. Due to a rapid increase in attendees, it was forced to relocate to the larger [[W:Adam's Mark|Adams Mark Hotel]] of [[W:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] in 2001, where it became the largest furry convention ever held, with 1,457 attendees. Attendance continued to grow, and by 2004, it was 2,406.

Attendance in 2005 dropped slightly to 2,373, exacerbated by the closure of the Adams Mark Hotel, the higher parking fees the new and unfamiliar [[W:Wyndham Worldwide|Wyndham Franklin Plaza]] hotel in downtown Philadelphia, and (possibly) due to [[W:Hurricane Dennis|Hurricane Dennis]]' effect on the southern United States, which closed many airports and prevented people from traveling.

Attendance increased again in 2006 with the move to the [[W:David L. Lawrence Convention Center|David Lawrence Convention Center]] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reaching 2,489, but due to scheduling conflicts, the convention had to leave its regular July timeslot temporarily and was held on June 15-18.

The 2006 move to Pittsburgh was envisioned by AC's [[Board of Directors]] before the sale of the Adam's Mark Hotel took place due to AC's increasing attendance. AC began soliciting people's opinions about moving to Pittsburgh in October 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041030112340/http://www.anthrocon.org/info.cgi/ac2007 ''A new home for Anthrocon in 2007?''] post on Antrocon's official website. Retrieved June 1, 2025.</ref>

In 2007, AC was held again from July 5 to 8 at the David Lawrence Convention Center.

In 2008, total attendance reached 3,390. In 2010, it increased to 4,238 attendees and four official convention hotels. The convention's growth has historically averaged 14% yearly.

=== COVID-19 pandemic ===

In 2020, Anthrocon was not held in person due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] outbreak. [[Online convention]]s were held in 2020 and 2021, using [[W:Virtual workplace|virtual meeting spaces]] and [[VRChat]]. The convention returned to being in person in 2022, with attendees required to provide [[W:Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic|proof of vaccination]] and wear [[W:Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|medical face masks]]. These requirements were rescinded in 2024.

=== Guest of honor ===

As of 2024, Anthrocon no longer has a designated [[Guest of Honor]](s).{{cn}}{{clarify}}

=== Fursuiting ===

Due to time and safety, the 2025 [[fursuit parade]] was capped off at (???). {{cn}}

=== Poodling ===

In 2025, Anthrocon put forth a new rule for the attending [[fursuiter]]s regarding the [[fursuit parade]], which was the banning of [[poodling]] during the event.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220620205129/https://www.anthrocon.org/parade-block-party/#parade-rules ''Parade Rules''] section on Anthrocon's official website. Retrieved July 11, 2025.</ref>

Also known as '''fursuit poodling''', poodling is the action of fursuiters (also called '''poodler'''['''s''']) not being fully [[costume]]d (in [[partial]]/[[half-suit]] mode), showing some or all of their [[human]] skin (with the utter exemption of the [[head]], and some of the time [[handpaw]]s, and [[feetpaw]]s) for a series of reasons (most commonly being mobility and motion or suit heat/weight). Some poodlers will wear [[arm sleeve]]s with or without [[animal]] deco ([[stripe]]s, [[fur|fur pattern]]s, etc).

Nonetheless, AC allowed poodlers access to all areas of the event, both within and outside the convention venue.

=== 2026 heatwave ===

On July 3, 2026, it was announced that the [[Fursuit Block Party]] and [[Fursuit Parade]] were officially canceled for safety reasons regarding the ongoing [[heatwave]].<ref>[https://www.flayrah.com/9605/anthrocon-cancels-parade-and-block-party-due-continued-intense-heat ''Anthrocon cancels parade and block party due to continued intense heat''] post by [[Sonious]] on ''[[Flayrah]]''. Dated July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.</ref><ref>[https://triblive.com/local/furries-cancel-parade-in-pittsburgh-on-saturday-due-to-extreme-heat/ ''Furries cancel parade in Pittsburgh on Saturday due to extreme heat''] article on [[W:Trib Total Media|Trib Live]]. Dated July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.</ref>

No additional plans have been put forth regarding any other celebration and/or events.

== Mascot(s) ==
[[File:Anthrocat fursuit.jpg|thumb|Anthrocat fursuit at [[Anthrocon 2024]].]]
Anthrocon's official [[mascot]] is '''Anthrocat''', a black and gold [[cat]], the same colors as the [[W:Flag of Pittsburgh|flag of Pittsburgh]], which officially debuted on Jul 3, 2025 at the [[W:Pittsburgh Today Live|Pittsburgh Today Live studios]] of [[W:KDKA-TV|CBS Pittsburgh]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObyX67sqH4w ''The stars of Anthrocon have taken over the PTL studios''] article on [[W:KDKA-TV|CBS Pittsburgh]]'s official [[YouTube]] account. Dated July 3, 2025. Retrieved ?.</ref> (although the idea of Anthrocat had been around for years before the official unveiling/announcement).

{{main|Anthrocon mascot}}

== Programming and amenities ==

* [[Opening ceremonies|Opening]] and [[closing ceremonies]]
* [[Dealers' Den]]
* [[Artists' Alley]]
* [[Art Show]]s (General and [[Adult|Mature]])
* [[Art Show auction]]
* [[Charity auction]]
* [[Masquerade]]
* [[Stand-up comedy]]
* [[UKSH|"Uncle Kage's Story Hour"]]
* [[Fursuit parade]]
* [[Fursuit Block Party]]
* [[Fursuit dance competition]] and [[Floor_Wars|Floor Wars]]
* [[Headless Lounge]]
* [[Art]]-related, Costumery-related, and other artistic how-to [[panel]]s, workshops, and demonstrations
* [[Table-top]] card and [[role-playing]] [[game]]s
* [[Game room]] and tournaments
* [[W:Special interest group|Special-interest]], [[species]]-related, and [[lifestyle]] group panels
* [[Puppetry]] instructionals
* Various [[social dance]]s
* [[Internet room]]
* "[[The Zoo]]" (a spacious general social area. This was deprecated in 2022 instead of multiple, smaller breakout Zoo areas)
* [[Supersponsor luncheon]]

== Leadership and staff==

The convention's [[chairman]] is [[Dr. Samuel Conway]] (also known as ''Kagemushi''' or ''Uncle Kage''' by attendees), who oversees AC's operations with the help of [[staff]] and [[volunteer]]s who donate their time and energy throughout the weekend to assist with the multitude of small tasks that arise. During the 2025 convention, the organization formally introduced [[Eric "Faelan" Horton]] as the [[Vice Chairman]].

=== Board of Directors ===
[[File:Anthrocon hotel block timeline.png|thumb|right|250px|A timeline of Anthrocon hotels since 2006]]
* [[Corey "Kess" Robichaud]] - [[Dealers Den|Dealers' Room]], [[photography]]
* [[Gen. Talon|Kenneth "Gen. Talon" Baker]] - A/V
* [[Dr. Valentina “Nuclear Space Cat” O’Donnell]] - [[Registration]]
* [[Kuddle Pup|John "K.P." Cole]] - [[Public outreach]]
* [[Christopher “Sparf” Williams]] - [[Events]]
* [[PeterCat|Peter "PeterCat" Kappesser]] - [[Art show]]
* [[Talyn_(Virginia)|Scott "Talyn" Williams]] - [[Con Ops|Operations]]
* [[Douglas “Chittebengo” Payne]] - [[Finances]]
* [[Ronnie|Isaac "Ronnie" Tan]] - [[Digital services]]

=== General staff ===

{{main|:Category:Anthrocon staff}}

== Guests of Honor ==

* 1997 - [[Artist]]s [[Daphne Lage]] and [[Watts Martin]]
* 1998 - Artists [[Jeffrey A. Carver]] and [[Jim Groat]]
* 1999 - [[Author]] [[S. Andrew Swann]] and artist [[Vicky Wyman]]
* 2000 - Artist [[Sara Miles|Caribou]] (formerly '''Sara Palmer''') and author [[Pauli Kidd]]
* 2001 - [[Comic book]] artist [[Dan DeCarlo]] (creator of ''[[W:Josie and the Pussycats (comics)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''), and [[cartoonist|syndicated cartoonist]] [[Bill Holbrook]]
* 2002 - Artist [[Heather Bruton]] and author [[Lisanne Norman]] (of the [[Sholan Alliance]] Series)
* 2003 - Artists [[Guy Gilchrist]] and [[Mark E. Rogers]]
* 2004 - Artists [[Michel Gagné]] and [[Stan Sakai]] (creator of ''[[Usagi Yojimbo]]'')
* 2005 - Artists [[Emily Amadhia Albee-King]] ("[[Kaze: Ghost Warrior|Kaze: Ghost Warrior]]") and [[W:Peter Laird|Peter Laird]], co-creator of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
* 2006 - [[Fantasy author]] [[W:Diane Duane|Diane Duane]], [[writer]]/[[animator]]/[[cartoonist]]/artist [[Scott Shaw!]], and (as a "Special Guest") [[Filk]] [[musician]] [[W:Tom Smith (filker)|Tom Smith]]
* 2007 - Television/[[animation writer]] [[W:Mark Evanier|Mark Evanier]], comic artist [[Carolyn Kelly]] (of the [[syndicated comic strip]] ''[[Pogo]]''), and [[voice actor]] [[W:Rob Paulsen|Rob Paulsen]] (''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Pinky and the Brain]]'', ''[[Gummi Bears]]'' and ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'')
* 2008 - Animator and [[Disney]] Legend [[W:Floyd Norman|Floyd Norman]]
* 2009 - [[Character designer]] and [[storyboard artist]] [[W:Ben Balistreri|Ben Balistreri]] (''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'' and ''[[Seaweed the Pelican]]''), [[creator]]/[[producer]] [[W:Bob Boyle (animator)|Bob Boyle]] (''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]'' and ''[[Yin Yang Yo!]]''), and cartoonist and artist [[Joe Harris]] (creator of [[Underdog]] and the [[Trix Rabbit]])
* 2010 - Author [[W:James Gurney|James Gurney]] (''[[W:Dinotopia|Dinotopia]]'' book series), and [[W:Sesame Street|Sesame Street]] [[puppeteer]]/[[director]] [[W:Jim_Martin_(puppeteer)|Jim Martin]]
* 2011 - Artist [[W:Andy Runton|Andy Runton]] (''[[Owly]]''), and author [[Peter_S._Beagle|Peter S. Beagle]] (''[[The Last Unicorn]]'')
* 2012 - Creative director/art director/freelance [[illustrator]] [[Dev Madan]], animator and comic artist [[Mike Kazaleh]], and Japanese [[fursuiter]] and [[W:Acrobatics|acrobat]] [[Sardyuon]]
* 2013 - [[Fantasy artist]] and [[novelist]] [[Larry Dixon]], author [[W:Mercedes Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]], animation producer/writer/story editor and storyboard artist [[W:Tom Minton|Tom Minton]], and Sardyuon
* 2014 - Voice actors [[W:Jim Cummings|Jim Cummings]] (''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[W:Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate]]'', ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'') and [[W:Lee Tockar|Lee Tockar]] (''[[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'', ''[[Yakkity Yak]]'')
* 2015 - Voice actor [[W:Kimlinh Tran|Kimlinh Tran]] and [[Mascot|sports mascot]], [[W:The San Diego Chicken|The San Diego Chicken]]
* 2016 - Animation genius [[W:Joaquin Baldwin|Joaquin Baldwin]], voice artist [[W:Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]], and illustrator/[[graphic designer]] [[Tracy Butler]]
* 2017 - Voice actor [[W:Charlie Adler|Charlie Adler]]
* 2018 - [[Animation artist]] [[Len Simon]], one of the main [[animation lead]]s on ''[[W:|Anastasia]]'' and animation character director on ''[[Bartok the Magnificent]]'' and ''[[Titan AE]]'', and artist [[Ursula Vernon]], creator of the ''[[lol wut]]'' (''[[The Biting Pear of Salamanca]]''), and the [[webcomic]] ''[[Digger]]''
* 2019 - Voice actor [[Benjamin Diskin]], artist [[Steve Gallacci]], and [[W:Esports|eSports player]] [[SonicFox5000]]
* 2020 - [[VRChat]] content creator [[Firr]] and furry artist [[SueDeer]] (Cancelled <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[COVID-19 pandemic]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Replaced with [[Virtual Anthrocon]])
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - French artist and animator [[Kévin Gemin]] ('''Kékéflipnote''') and American artist SueDeer
* 2023 - [[W:Pittsburgh|The City of Pittsburgh]]
* 2024 - No longer hosting GoH(s){{cn}}

==Themes==

* 1997 - '''''An East Coast Furry Convention'''''
* 1998 - '''''Here There Be Dragons'''''
* 1999 - '''''Join the Furry Revolution'''''
* 2000 - '''''Furries of Myth and Legend'''''
* 2001 - '''''Furries in Flight'''''
* 2002 - '''''Inventions'''''
* 2003 - '''''Creatures of the Night'''''
* 2004 - '''''Summer Games'''''
* 2005 - '''''Heroes'''''
* 2006 - '''''Making History'''''
* 2007 - '''''Looking to the Future'''''
* 2008 - '''''It's a Jungle Out There'''''
* 2009 - '''''OMG Aliens!'''''
* 2010 - '''''Modern Stone-Age Furries'''''
* 2011 - '''''The Anthropomorphic Institute of Magic'''''
* 2012 - '''''A Midsummer Night's Dream'''''
* 2013 - '''''The Fast and The Furrious'''''
* 2014 - '''''Secret Societies'''''
* 2015 - '''''Viking Invasion!'''''
* 2016 - '''''Roaring "Twenty"''''' (20th anniversary)
* 2017 - '''''Take Me Out To The Ballgame'''''
* 2018 - '''''Movie Monsters'''''
* 2019 - '''''Surf Pacific'''''
* 2020 - '''''Aesop's Fables''''' (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2021 - (Cancelled [COVID-19 pandemic]. Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon)
* 2022 - '''''Aesop's Fables'''''
* 2023 - '''''Anthropolis: We Built This City'''''
* 2024 - '''''AnthroCoaster!'''''
* 2025 - '''''Deep Sea Adventures'''''
* 2026 - '''''Critters, Cryptids, and Curses'''''
* 2027 - TBA
* 2028 - TBA

==Charities==

Every year, Anthrocon selects a local animal-related charity as the beneficiary of its charity auction.<ref>[http://www.anthrocon.org/history Charity history] on Anthrocon's website. Retrieved June 19, 2012.</ref>

* 1997 - ''[[Therapy Dogs]]'' ($2,200)
* 1998 - ''[[Whiskers (charity)|Whiskers]]'' ($3,092)
* 1999 - ''[https://schuylkillriver.org/map/places-to-visit/great-valley-nature-center/ Great Valley Nature Center]'' ($3.6K)
* 2000 - ''[https://ngap.org/index.html National Greyhound Adoption Program]'' ($6.5K)
* 2001 - ''[https://www.reinsoflife.com Reins of Life]'' ($7,273)
* 2002 - ''[https://www.facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLife/ Canine Partners for Life]'' ($13,280)
* 2003 - ''[https://supportourshelters.org Support Our Shelters]'' ($8,348)
* 2004 - ''[https://www.forgottenfelines.org Forgotten Felines & Fidos]'' ($7.2K)
* 2005 - ''[http://www.gpsar.org/ Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue]'' ($6,470)
* 2006 - ''[http://www.wildanimal.org/ Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage]'' ($8,407)
* 2007 - ''[http://www.animal-friends.org/ Animal Friends]'' ($7,608)
* 2008 - ''[http://pages.prodigy.net/zazubird/ppr.htm Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue]'' ($13,154)
* 2009 - ''[http://www.animalrescue.org/ Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation Center]'' ($8,992)
* 2010 - ''[http://www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net/ Fayette Friends of Animals]'' ($12,849)
* 2011 - ''[http://www.toonseum.org/ Toonseum]'' ($11,522)
* 2012 - ''[http://www.hellobully.com/ Hello Bully]'' ($20,656)
* 2013 - ''[http://equineangelsrescue.com/ Equine Angels Rescue]'' ($31,255)
* 2014 - ''[http://aviary.org/ The National Aviary]'' ($32,372)
* 2015 - ''[https://www.wpahumane.org/ Western Pennsylvania Humane Society]'' ($35,910)
* 2016 - ''[http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/ Pittsburgh Zoo]'' ($30,880)
* 2017 - ''[http://www.hopehavenfarm.org/ Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary]'' ($37,598)
* 2018 - ''[https://www.southhillspetrescue.org/ South Hills Pet Rescue]'' ($42,051)
* 2019 - ''[https://www.pearlparrots.com/ PEARL Parrot Rescue]'' ($46,440)
* 2020 - ''[https://www.wildlifeworksinc.org/ Wildlife Works, Inc.]'' (Undisclosed)
* 2021 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($20,000+)
* 2022 - '''''Wildlife Works, Inc.''''' ($41,553)
* 2023 - ''[https://www.rabbitwranglers.org/ Rabbit Wranglers]'' ($52,000)
* 2024 - ''[https://graypaws.org/ Gray Paws Sanctuary]'' ($100,000+)
* 2025 - ''[https://www.nose2tailcatrescue.org/ Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue]'' ($87,267)
* 2026 - ''[https://jandjfarmsanimalsanctuary.org/ J and J Farms Animal Sanctuary]'' (???)
* 2027 - TBA (TBD)
* 2028 - TBA (TBD)

==Attendance==

Except for [[Anthrocon 2005]], AC's attendance has increased yearly. Membership in the fursuit parade has also increased, rising from 5.9% of members in 2005 to a peak of 28.7% in 2016. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Con year
! scope="col" | Attendance
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuiters
! scope="col" | Fursuit parade
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Albany AnthroCon 1997
| 500'''²'''
| N/A
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Omni Albany (original venue)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1998
| 600'''²'''
| 20%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon 1999
| 845
| 40.8%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
| Change of venue (Valley Forge Hilton, King of Prussia PA)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2000
| 1,128
| 33.4%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2001
| 1,457
| 29.2%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|Change of venue ([[Adam's Mark]] Hotel, Philadelphia PA)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2002
| 1,648
| 13.1%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2003
| 1,949
| 18.2%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2004
| 2,404
| 23.3%
| Unknown'''¹'''
| Unknown'''¹'''
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2005
| 2,370
| -1.4%
| ?
| 140
| N/A
| Change of venue (Wyndham Franklin Plaza, Philadelphia PA)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2006
| 2,489
| 5%
| ?
| 191
| 36.4%
| Change of venue (David Lawrence Convention Center & Westin, Pittsburgh PA)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2007
| 2,849
| 14.5%
| ?
| 353
| 84.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2008
| 3,390
| 19%
| ?
| 453
| 28.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2009
| 3,777
| 11.4%
| ?
| 640
| 41.3%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2010
| 4,238
| 12.2%
| ?
| 713
| 11.4%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2011
| 4,402
| 3.8%
| ?
| 854
| 19.8%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2012
| 5,179
| 17.7%
| ?
| 1,044
| 22.2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2013
| 5,577
| 7.68%
| ?
| 1,300
| 24.5%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2014
| 5,861
| 5.09%
| ?
| 1,326
| 2%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2015
| 6,386
| 9.01%
| ?
| 1,460
| 10.11%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2016
| 7,310
| 14.44%
| ?
| 2,100
| 43.34%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2017
| 7,554
| 3.33%
| ?
| 1,890
| -10.00%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2018
| 8,407
| 11.29%
| ?
| 1,980
| 4.76%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2019
| 9,358
| 11.31%
| ?
| 2,132
| 7.67%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon Online 2020
| 6,136'''³'''
| N/A
| 2 (staff)
| 2 (staff)
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2021
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic). Replaced with Virtual Anthrocon
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | Anthrocon 2022
| 9,702
| 3.68%
| ?
| 2,562
| 20.17%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2023
| 13,644
| 40.63%
| ?
| 3,127
| 22.05%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2024
| 17,639
| 29.84%
| ?
| 3,371
| 7.51%
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2025
| 18,357
| 4.07%
| ?
| ?
| ?
| [[Poodling]] was banned during the fursuit parade, which was also capped off for time and safety
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2026
| 20,618
| 12.3%
| ?
| N/A
| N/A
| This event was the 20th year of AC in Pittsburgh. The Fursuit [[Fursuit Block Party|Block Party]] and [[Fursuit Parade|Parade]] were cancelled due to the July 2026 heatwave
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2027
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2028
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|
|}

'''1.''' - Anthrocon didn't record the number of fursuiters in the fursuit parade until 2005 
'''2.''' - Estimated 
'''3.''' - Unique VRChat attendees 
'''?.''' - Data not recorded/not available 
'''N/A''' - Data not applicable

== Trivia ==
[[File:AnthroconAttendance.PNG|thumb|right|450px|attendees statistics (1997-2016)]]
* The choice of [[Toonseum]] as a charity was made after consulting the [[furry community]] via [http://anthrocon.livejournal.com/827727.html, a LiveJournal post by] [[Rigel]].

== See also ==

* [[W:Anthrocon|Anthrocon]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[:Category:Anthrocon photographs|Anthrocon photographs on WikiFur]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{FlayrahTag|Anthrocon}}
* [http://www.facebook.com/Anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Facebook]] (official)
* [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Anthrocon/?source_id=103654229736847 Anthrocon] on Facebook (public)
* [http://twitter.com/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Twitter|X]]
* [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ulwyvthzao6goq6pqth2j5z3 Anthrocon] on [[BlueSky]]
* [https://t.me/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Telegram]]
* [https://mastodon.furrycon.social/@anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Mastodon]]
* [https://www.instagram.com/anthrocon/ Anthrocon] on [[Instagram]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/anthrocon Anthrocon] on [[Youtube]]

=== Convention directories ===

* [https://furrycons.com/event/23777/anthrocon-2025 Anthrocon] on [https://furrycons.com/ FurryCons.com]
* [https://fancons.com/events/info/23777/anthrocon-2025 Anthrocon] on [https://fancons.com/ Fancons.com]
* [https://comiconomicon.com/event/39098/Anthrocon Anthrocon] on [https://comiconomicon.com/ Comiconomicon.com]

=== Media ===

* [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/what-is-anthrocon-furry-convention-pittsburgh/ ''What is Anthrocon? The furry convention is expected to bring thousands to Pittsburgh''] article on [[W:CBSNews|CBS News]]
* [https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-economy-out-millions-because-of-canceled-events/35907481 ''Pittsburgh economy out millions because of canceled events''] article on the [https://www.wtae.com/ Pittsburgh's Action News 4]
* [https://people.com/furries-raise-over-100k-for-homeless-senior-pets-at-pittsburgh-convention-8676313 ''Furries' in Pittsburgh 'Worked Their Tails Off' to Raise Over $100,000 for Homeless Senior Pets''] article on [[W:People (magazine)|People magazine]]
* [https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws-9244633 ''Furry friends: Pittsburgh restaurants welcome Anthrocon furries with specials, signs and long straws''] article on the [[W:Pittsburgh City Paper|Pittsburgh City Paper]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_xRuZeldCk ''Shake your tail and move your feet, the Anthrocon furries are here!''] news segment on the [[W:Pittsburgh Today Live|Pittsburgh Today Live studios]] ([[W:KDKA-TV|CBS Pittsburgh]])
* [https://triblive.com/local/furries-cancel-parade-in-pittsburgh-on-saturday-due-to-extreme-heat/ ''Furries cancel parade in Pittsburgh on Saturday due to extreme heat''] article on the [[W:Trib Total Media|Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]

* {{con resources}}

{{wikipedia|Anthrocon}}
{{Conventions North America}}
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[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
{{Featured article}}

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