Covid-19 crisis will keep ‘furries’ away from Pittsburgh this summer

Jeff Himler
Monday, April 27, 2020 7:09 p.m. | Monday, April 27, 2020 7:09 p.m.

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Nate Smallwood | Tribune-Review

Participants in the annual Anthrocon Convention gather for a photo before a parade through David L. Lawrence Convention Center in 2019.

The furry folk won’t be coming to Pittsburgh this summer.

Citing the covid-19 pandemic, organizers on Monday announced cancellation of the 2020 Anthrocon, an annual gathering of adults who dress like animals. It had been scheduled for July 2-5 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

“Without an end in sight for the covid-19 crisis, it’s not safe or responsible of us to hold the con,” organizers said in a Tweet.

It's with a heavy heart that we have to announce that we're cancelling AC 2020. Without an end in sight for the COVID-19 crisis it's not safe or responsible of us to hold the con.

All the info we have is at this link. https://t.co/0JX0Yeb3sb pic.twitter.com/lySqKI2kee

— #Anthrocon, Inc. (@anthrocon) April 27, 2020

The “furries” had gathered in the city annually since 2006. Last year’s convention drew more than 9,000 attendees. The estimated event impact is $9.9 million according to VisitPittsburgh. VisitPittsburgh executive vicepresident and interim CEO Jerad Bachar said the city is sad Anthrocon won’t be here this summer but understands the decision. The economnic impact is tremendous, Bachar said in a statement, contributing more than $71 million since the first conference. But it’s the work the attendees do each year for the community that’s inspiring and that includes fundraising for local animal charities, raising more than $341,000.

“The city of Pittsburgh has developed such a special relationship with Anthrocon over the past 15 years,” Bachar said in a statement. “Anthrocon has shown remarkable dedication to this city; we’re already looking to its return in 2021.

Joe Strike of Manhattan, N.Y., said while he will very much miss Anthrocon and visiting Pittsburgh it’s really the only possible decision they could have made. He is the author of “Furry Nation: The True Story of America’s misunderstood subculture.”

“If they would have decided to hold the ‘con I would have skipped it anyway,” he said. “I’d rather not be in close quarters with 10,000 people even if I was inside my fursuit.”

The organizers posted details on refunds and cancellation of hotel reservations at anthrocon.org/covid19-cancellation.