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Midwest FurFest's 2015 Logo.

Midwest FurFest (commonly abbreviated as MFF) is the world's largest furry convention with an attendance of 11,019 in 2019. It is held annually in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention has been running as a separate entity since 2000.

History [ edit ]

Visitor Statistics

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. 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 473 attendees in 2000[1] to 10,989 in 2018[2], making it the largest furry convention in the world surpassing the previous title holder Anthrocon in registered attendance in 2017. It has helped raise over $285,276 for various charities.

Midwest FurFest is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., which holds Midwest Furfest and furfest as service marks.

The official Twitter account of Midwest FurFest advises attendees to post on Twitter using the hashtag "#FurFest", as many other conventions are abbreviated MFF, one of which takes place at around the same time. Previously, Midwest FurFest suggested using the "#MWFF" hashtag, for the same reason.

Current event [ edit ]

Midwest FurFest has called the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois home since 2010. Features of the convention include an Artist Alley, Dealers Den, art show, charity auction, dances (including a dead dog dance), the FurFest Lounge and Fursuit Green Room, fursuit games and a parade, opening and closing ceremonies, a photoshoot and a variety show.

Information [ edit ]

Statistics [ edit ]

Midwest FurFest Attendance and Charity Year Fursuiters* Attendees Charity 2019 11,019 $112,352, matched by anonymous donor for a total of $224,704 2018 10,989 $92,794 2017 8,771 $85,000 2016 7,075 $78,482 2015 1,378 5,606 $62,021 2014 1,132 4,571 $31,446 2013 972 3,904 $28,000 2012 743 3,216 $40,500 2011 574 2,600 $19,575 2010 413 2,285 $11,300 2009 357 2,040 $12,799 2008 358 1,992 $15,000 2007 286 1,690 $15,193 2006 213 1,422 $13,049 2005 1,066 $6,800 2004 959 $7,000 2003 800 $6,500 2002 685 $6,088 2001 511 $6,800 2000 473 $3,522 * Fursuiter numbers are as counted in the parade or group photo

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Guests of honor [ edit ]

Each year, Midwest FurFest selects talent from within the community, with a focus on people who have not yet been recognized.

Charities [ edit ]

Each year, Midwest FurFest selects a local animal-related charity to focus on. The total amount raised is $449,073.81.

Convention chairs [ edit ]

Each year, the of Board of Directors for Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. selects a Convention chair to oversee the following year's event.

References [ edit ]

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