Midwest FurFest
Midwest FurFest (MFF) is an annual furry convention based in Illinois which has been running as a separate entity since 2000.
Midwest FurFest got its start as the furry track for Duckon, a Chicago-based science fiction convention. The furry track was started at Duckon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. The track grew larger each year and it was estimated that by Duckon 8 (1999) between one-quarter and one-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 spin off into a new convention.
Thus Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. was created and Midwest FurFest was born, to take place in November 2000, on the weekend before Thanksgiving (a date that became traditional). The parting was amicable, and Duckon lent a good bit of expertise and manpower to help make the first year of Midwest FurFest a success.
Since then, the convention has grown from 388 attendees in 2000 to 2,040 in 2009, making it the 3rd largest furry convention. It has raised over $92,000 for various wildlife charities.
Midwest FurFest is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., which holds Midwest Furfest and furfest as service marks.
History
2000
For its inaugural year, Midwest FurFest (typically abbreviated as MFF) made its home at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Robert King served as chairman, and many of the popular elements of the furry track at Duckon made appearances: Artists Alley, The Furry Variety Show (in its traditional Friday-at-midnight timeslot), and the Saturday evening dance. MFF also endeavored to carry on Duckon's fine tradition of a well-stocked con suite, making sure its attendees were well-fed and happy. MFF was proud to welcome Robert and Margaret Carspecken, Rapid T. Rabbit, and Derrick Dasenbrock as its initial Guests of Honor. In its first year, a total of 388 fans turned out to welcome furry fandom's newest convention. MFF's attendees showed their generosity by helping to raise $3,522 for the three designated charities that year: Wolf Park, Valley of the Kings big cat sanctuary, and Chicago House.
2001
In 2001, Robert King was again chairman and MFF was once again at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest. 511 attendees helped to push the boundaries of the meeting space there to close to bursting. 2001 also saw the premiere of 2 the Ranting Gryphon in his first convention performance ever. Guests of Honor included Mary Hanson-Roberts, Jessica Willard, and Matt McCullar. Uncle Kage served as auctioneer to help the charity auction raise $6,800 for Animals for Awareness.
2002
The next year was a big jump for the convention, both in attendance and space as MFF moved a few miles south to the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg, Illinois. The new location was a huge hit among the 685 attendees, with its close proximity to Woodfield Mall, many restaurants, and other amenities. Jim Doolittle (aka Aureth) took the reins as convention chairman. Animals for Awareness was once again the chosen charity, and the charity auction and contributions at their table raised a total of $6,088. Programming continued to expand, assisted by Guests of Honor Ursula Husted, Ysengrin Blackpaw, and D.C. Simpson.
2003
Aureth again chaired the convention in 2003, still at the Hyatt Woodfield. Thomas K. Dye, M.C.A. Hogarth, and DBruin were the Guests of Honor. The charity auction and donations to Animals for Awareness totaled $6,500 that year. 800 furry fans turned out that year, establishing a steady growth curve for the convention. At the end of the convention, Aureth followed the "two years and out" tradition established by Robert King and turned the reins over to Dan Hauschild (aka Takaza J. Wolf). Mary Jo Pehl of Mystery Science Theater 3000 appeared.
2004
2004 was another banner year for MFF at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, with 959 attendees. A new charity, Furry Friends Foundation, was the recipient of $7,000 raised by donations, the charity auction, and a unique, one-time-only joint show featuring Uncle Kage and 2 the Ranting Gryphon together on stage for almost two hours. The Guests of Honor that year were Ursula Vernon, ScribbleFox, and David Gilbert. This was the first year that MFF reached outside furry fandom for a Guest of Honor and Mr. Gilbert wrote afterwards that he had a fantastic time.
2005
- Main article: Midwest FurFest 2005
Gene Breshears, Tincrash, and Kenket were the Guests of Honor in 2005. The convention continued to grow, breaking the thousand-furry mark for the first time with 1,066 in attendance. Wildlife in Need, a small wildlife rehabilitation organization, was the recipient of $6,800 in donations. The highlight of the Charity Auction was the auctioning off of an evening with 2 and Uncle Kage entertaining the winner and their friends in a private performance; in the end, two groups who were bidding against each other pooled their funds and the performance went for $650. This was Takaza's last year heading the convention, as he passed the chairmanship over to Linnaeus for 2006. It was also announced that Midwest FurFest would be returning to the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in 2006.
2006
- Main article: Midwest FurFest 2006
Illustrator Heather "Kyoht" Luterman , fursuit designer Whitefox (aka Whiteyfawks) and artist and designer Spunky were the Guests of Honor in 2006. The theme was Midwest FurFest County Fair. 1,422 people were in attendance. Fursuit parade attendance was at 213 participants, a record at the time. The Charity Auction raised $5570 for the Safe Haven Wildlife Refuge, not including donations. $13,048.96 in all was raised for the refuge.
2007
- Main article: Midwest FurFest 2007
Linnaeus chaired the convention again, which took place November 16-18, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Guests of Honor included illustrator and artist Erika "Chilly" Rosengarten, artist and costumer Jill0r, and author Will Sanborn. The theme was Critters on the High Seas. Attendance was 1,689, and the fursuit parade had 286 participants. The convention raised more than $15,000 for Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.
2008
- Main article: Midwest FurFest 2008
Midwest FurFest was held from November 21st to November 23rd in 2008. Duncan da Husky was the convention chairman, and the convention moved to a new venue: The Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Illinois. The theme was North to Alaska.
Total attendance was 1,992, and over $15,000 was raised for their charity, Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. The Art Show generated $22,928 in revenue.
2009
- Main article: Midwest FurFest 2009
2,040 attended the 10th anniversary of MFF, to which all previous guests of honor were invited. No complaints were voiced at the feedback session, but art show sales also suffered from the economy, despite an increase in the number of pieces. An experimental theatrical event - Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind - gained a positive reception, while $12,971 was raised for the charity KARE For Wildlife.
At closing, it was announced that the convention would move to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois in 2010.
News
External links
- Midwest FurFest - Official site
- Midwest FurFest community at LiveJournal
- Midwest Furry Fandom, Incorporated
- Photos, videos, reports: Midwest FurFest resources
