Califur

2017-05-24T15:48:48Z

2600:8802:110A:96C0:2D49:A813:2C3C:BF58: /* Califur 2016 */ added attendance figure

{{LinkingSupporter}}
{{Infobox convention
| name = Califur
| logo = [[Image:Califurlogo1.jpg|right|Logo]]
| caption =

| subject = Furry
| location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[Wikipedia:Irvine, California|Irvine]], [[Wikipedia:California|California]], [[Wikipedia:USA|USA]] - [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxir-irvine-marriott/ Irvine Marriott Hotel]}}
| url = http://www.califur.com
| status = Ongoing
| first = May 28-30, 2004
| final =
| organizer = [[FENEC Adventures]]
| charity =
| resources = {{con resources|Califur}}
}}
{{Califur}}
'''CaliFur''' ('''CF''') is a [[convention]] that succeeded the first furry convention [[ConFurence]] as the annual furry event of [[Wikipedia:Southern California|Southern California]]. Califur is organized by [[FENEC Adventures]]. With a diverse audience, Califur provides just as diverse programming. Reoccurring events include: Pet Auction, Cabaret, Live DJ'ed dances, table top gaming and video gaming, Fursuit parade, P.A.N.T Panel, Fursuit Panels and Califur After Dark, a set of events with an adult 18+ attendance. Califur has also expanded its registration to include various price ranges for those under the age of 17 to give them a price break. This helps to establish Califur as a well rounded convention with something for all ages.

==Origin of FENEC and CaliFur==
FENEC ("Furries Enjoying the Natural Environments of California") was conceived by [[Alohawolf|Robert "Alohawolf" Johnson]], [[Dawn Britt]], and [[Dennis Carr]] with the initial idea of having a furry-themed campout. While riding home from the southern California [[FurBQ]], Dawn had commented to Dennis and his then wife, Karmin, about the lack of other camping events such as [[Feral!]] in Southern California. Dennis pointed this out while chatting on the [[FurNet (IRC)|Furnet]] IRC Network, and Robert took the lead in starting an organized event.

As the campout was being planned, additional staffers including [[Glen Wooten]], [[Zee|Zsanene "Zee" Stevens]], [[Trapa]], [[Drewkitty]] along with ConFurence co-founders [[Mark Merlino]] and [[Rod O'Riley]] were brought on board. With the demise of ConFurence in 2003, Mark and Robert expressed a desire to see a regional convention maintained in Southern California. The decision was made in early autumn of 2003 to plan a traditional hotel-based convention to succeed [[ConFurence 2003]] with [[Califur 0]] the following year. Thus the campout idea soon evolved into a hotel based convention instead. FENEC still retains its name despite this, as it is part of Califur's history.

==History==
====[[Califur 0]]====
[[Image:califur0.gif|right|Califur 0]]
The first Califur was held May 28-30, 2004 at the [http://www.atriumhotel.com/ Atrium Hotel] in [[Wikipedia:Irvine, California|Irvine, California]]. The theme was "The Adventure Continues" to indicate a transition between [[ConFurence]] and the new convention Califur. There were five Guests of Honor: [[2, The Ranting Gryphon]], [[Foxxfire]], [[Topfox]], [[Cataroo]], and [[Jefferson P. Swycaffer]]. Though original expectations were modest, this inaugural dry run had an unexpected 326 attendees, over five times that of [[Confurence 0]].

Between 2004 and 2005, there were many staffing changes, but significant growth was achieved in both room registrations and attendance.

====[[Califur 1]]====
[[Image:Califur1banner.gif|right|Califur 1]]
The second Califur was held May 20-22, 2005 at the [http://www.hicostamesa.com/ The Holiday Inn] in [[Wikipedia:Costa Mesa, California|Costa Mesa, California]]. The theme was "Welcome to the Islands". The Guest of honor was [[Brian Wear]]. There were 383 attendees, a 15% gain over the previous year.

After 2005, there were some minor staff changes, with [[TigerEyes|Zsanene "TigerEyes" Stevens]] being selected by the FENEC board to succeed original Califur founder [[AlohaWolf|Robert "Alohawolf" Johnson Jr.]] as the new [[convention chairman|chairperson]].

[[Image:califur2.gif|right|200px|Califur 2]]
====[[Califur 2]]====
The third Califur was held May 5-7, 2006 at the Holiday Inn in Costa Mesa. The theme was "Pirates". The Guests of Honor were [[Mitch de la Guardia]] and [[Lisanne Norman]]. There were 434 attendees.

====[[Califur 3]]====
[[Image:califur3.jpg|right|200px|Califur 3]]
The fourth Califur was held May 4-6, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in Costa Mesa. The theme was "Your Favorite Furry Villains" (Scar, Professor Ratigan, Don Karnage, Jack Salem, Bun Bun, and many more). The Artist Guests of Honor were [[Balaa]] and [[Roz Gibson]], and the Musical Guest of Honor was [[Marc Gunn]] (creator of ''Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers''). There were 496 attendees.

The 2006 [[Ursa Major Awards]] was held on the opening night of the convention. The [[Dealers Den]] spaces were sold out at least a month before the event, indicating that the con had again outgrown its venue.

[[Image:califur4.jpg|right|200px|Califur 4]]
====[[Califur 4]]====
The fifth Califur was held May 15-18, 2008 at the [http://irvine.hyatt.com/ Hyatt Regency] in [[Wikipedia:Irvine, California|Irvine, California]]. The theme was "Something Steampunk This Way Comes". The Guests of Honor were [[Kitsumi]] and [[Keovi]]. There were 587 attendees.

[[Image:califur5.gif|right|200px|Califur 5]]
====[[Califur 5]]====
The sixth Califur was held June 5-7, 2009 at the [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxir-irvine-marriott/ Irvine Marriott] in Irvine, California. The theme was 'On Safari'. The Guests of Honor was [[2 The Ranting Gryphon]] and Bonnie Callahan, and the Guest Artist was [[Fossil]] the Undead Anthrosaur Artist but he didn't show up due to being unable to travel across the country. There were 720 attendees.

====[[Califur 6]]====
[[Image:califur6.jpg|right|200px|Califur 6]]
The seventh Califur was held June 4-6, 2010 at the Irvine Marriott. The theme was "Fabulous Furry Funnies!", which was a comic strip themed convention. The Comic Strip Guest of Honor was [[Amber M. Williams]], and the Artist Guest of Honor was [http://http://anevern.artchicks.org/ Kythera of Anevern]. Fursuit maker Lucky Coyote of Don't Hug Cacti Studios was a Special Guest. [[Fossil]] was asked to come as the GOH for Califur 6, but again didn't show up. As an addition to the Califur program, there was a [[Furry Night Live]] (FNL) performance. KROQ a Los Angeles rock radio station shared the convention space with the hotel for the first time. There were 851 attendees.

====[[Califur 7]]====
[[File:Califur7-banner.jpg|right|200px|Califur7]]
The eighth Califur was held over June 3-5, 2011, at the Irvine Mariott. The theme was "Post Apocalypse". The Guest Of Honor was [[Mitti]] (previously known as '''Touch My Badger'''). Radio station KROQ shared the convention space with Califur once again, since KROQ's Weenie Roast is at the same time of year. Many of the bands playing the Roast were staying at the hotel. There were 919 attendees.

====[[Califur 8]]====
The ninth Califur was held over June 1-3, 2012. The theme was "[[Wikipedia:Roaring Twenties|The Roaring Twenties]]", and the Guest Of Honor was [[Mochi]]. With 950 attending, Califur announced that if they could reach over 1,000 they would extend the number of days that Califur runs.

====[[Califur 9]]====
The tenth Califur was held May 31st, June 1st & 2nd 2013. The theme was Virtual Worlds. The Artist Guest of Honor was [[NecroDrone]] and the writer Guest of Honor was [[Maxwell Alexander Drake]]. Califur reached their goal of 1,000 attending, and exceeded the number with 1,178. Califur announced that is was in negotiation with the Marriott Irvine regarding the extension of Sunday to a full day. Many new programming additions appeared on Califur 2013's schedule including an After Dark set of tracks for those 18 and over.

====[[Califur 10]]====

The eleventh Califur was held May 30-June 1, 2014.<ref name="CalifurWebsite">[http://www.califur.com/ Califur website]. Retrieved July 29, 2013.</ref> The convention's theme was "[[Wikipedia:Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] - Past and Present".<ref name="CalifurWebsite"/> Califur announced that [[Wikipedia:Greg Weisman|Greg Weisman]], creator of Disney's ''[[Wikipedia:Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]'' would be a special guest;<ref>[http://califur.com/guests-of-honor-goh/special-guests/ ''Special Guests''] page on [http://califur.com/ Califur.com]. Retrieved June 1, 2014.</ref> with [http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Dustmeat Dustmeat] being the artist Guest of Honor<ref>[http://califur.tumblr.com/post/58752944959/califur-aug-update-for-califur-2014 ''Califur Aug Update for Califur 2014!''] post on Califur's [[Tumblr]]. Retrieved June 2, 2014.</ref> and [http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Beastcub Beastcub] the Fursuit Guest of Honor.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Califur/status/473166011751886848 Califur tweet] (Beastcub GoH) on [[Twitter]]. Dated June 1,2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.</ref> The attendance was 1,206.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Califur/status/473287324940267520 Twitter: Califur's final attending number...]. Retrieved June 1, 2014.</ref>

====[[Califur 2015]]====

The twelfth Califur was held June 5-7th, 2015 at the Irvine Marriott in Irvine California. <ref name="CalifurWebsite">[http://www.califur.com/ Califur website]. Retrieved March 29, 2015.</ref> The convention's theme will be [[Anime]] & [[Kemono]]. The artist guest of honor was [[Zhivago D]] with musical and industry guest of honor [[Amadhia Albee]]. Califur had a total [https://twitter.com/almightytora/status/607704862000861184%20Twitter attendance of 1317] and announced that they were moving to the [https://twitter.com/Califur/status/616013180913893376 Los Angeles Fairplex for 2016.]

====[[Califur 2016]]====

Califur 2016 will be the thirteenth iteration of the Califur [[convention]]. It was held over June 3-5, 2016<ref>[https://twitter.com/Califur/status/616343434064822272 Tweet] on the Califur account on [[Twitter]]. Retrieved July 6, 2015.</ref> at the Fairplex Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center in the city of Pomona in Los Angeles County, California.<ref name="2016website">[http://califur.com/ Califur (2016) website]. Retrieved November 13, 2015.</ref> There were 1451 attendees.<ref>[https://twitter.com/scottyminotaur/status/739623308996419584 Tweet by @scottyminotaur]</ref>

The theme for Califur 2016 was "High Fantasy & Renaissance Faire: The Quest for the [[Dragon]] Sword".<ref name="2016website"/> The Guests of Honor was fandom artist [[Sixth Leaf Clover]] and game industry artist Terrie Denman.<ref>[http://wow.gamepedia.com/Terrie_Denman WoWpedia] Retrieved November 13, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://califur.com/guests-of-honor-goh/ Guests of Honor] on the [[Califur 2016]] website. Retrieved November 13, 2015.</ref>

==Related events==
====[[Califur Train]]====
A train trip was organized for a few years by co-chair Trapa to help [[Wikipedia:Vancouver|Vancouver]] and [[Wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Seattle]] area furries make the long journey to Califur in Southern California.

====[[Califur Diego]]====
Califur Diego is "a [[furry artist]] reception" held during the annual [[Comic-Con International]] in [[Wikipedia:San Diego, California|San Diego, California]]. This [[furmeet]] was inspired by the now-defunct [[CritterConDiego]] which also scheduled its events in the evening after the Comic-Con dealer rooms were closed. It was most recently held in 2007 at the [http://www.hortongrand.com/ Horton Grand Hotel]. Califur Diego 2007 featured a new, two-night format and a smaller room. The event was cancelled for 2008 due to a lack of funding.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{WikiFurNews|Califur 2007 schedule finalized, including the Ursa Major Awards}}
*[http://www.califur.com/ Califur Official Website]
*[http://forum.califur.com/ Califur Forums]
*[http://community.livejournal.com/califur/ Califur community] on [[LiveJournal]]
*[http://twitter.com/Califur Califur on Twitter]
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/califur/ Califur Yahoo! group]
*{{con resources}}

{{California}}
{{Conventions}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Califur]]
[[Category:2004 births]]
{{featured article}}

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