PITTSBURGH -- Talk about a walk on the wild side -- the furries are returning to Pittsburgh.
The fourth annual
Anthrocon 2009 starts on Thursday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and runs until July 5, attracting furry fans from across the globe.
The conference is the world's largest for Anthropomorphics.
"So, someone like Bugs Bunny is a rabbit. But rabbits can't walk on two legs, can't talk and they don't wear gloves. So you've given some human characteristics to a non-human character," said the conference's program director, John "KP" Cole.
The convention is a chance for people who enjoy cartoon animals and their kin to dress up and meet with other fans.
Slideshow: Anthrocon 2009 Pictures "I always liked to see them at the zoo. I always felt akin to them," said Jordan "Irish Fox" Irish.
"It's just that part of being animal. I guess you kind of just feel (your tail) swinging behind you," said "Snow Queen" who came from Colorado.
Anthrocon Chairman Dr. Samuel Conway said many of the thousands of people attending the conference will dress as their favorite characters.
"We expect 500 (to) 600 of them this year, and they"ll be wandering about. If you see a large raccoon on the streets of Pittsburgh, don't be alarmed, it's just us," Conway said.
Many conference attendees are visiting Pittsburgh for the first time.
"I've come here to meet so many friends I've met on the Internet and to enjoy the art," said Holly Crawford, who traveled from the United Kingdom.
The New York Mets -- in town for a game against the Pirates -- checked into the Westin hotel, where many of the furries are staying. That prompted
the following tweets from one of their TV reporters:
- "Our hotel in Pitt is overrun by people dressed up as animals. Anthrocon? And they act as animals. I have seen it all and I am freaked out"
- "I just took a picture with a person who was dressed like Ralph Wigam as a Beaver. I will try to put this on Twitter tomorrow - oh I will try" (Note - He succeeded.)
- I am so disturbed I can't go to sleep, yet I have to be at PNC in 7 hours!!!!"
- "I was scared but yet amused and it has been the topic of conversation today at the park!"
While not everyone dresses up, the fans Channel 4 Action News' Amber Nicotra spoke with said the conference is the one event they look forward to each year.
"What brought me back was the art. I love to see what the artists come up with, meeting the artists themselves. It's great putting a face to the identity you meet online," said artist Brooke "Ishaway."
Some furries, as these fans are known, attended a private welcome party Wednesday night at the wildlife rehabilitation center in Verona.
The center, operated by the Animal Rescue League, will benefit from the auction proceeds generated by the annual convention.
"Anthrocon every year chooses a local animal-related charity that we can support. We have a charity auction and sort of giveaways in there. We like to give back a little bit, if I can say, to the animal community. Since cartoons and cartoon animals, all these people are animal lovers at heart," said Anthrocon Chairman Dr. Samuel Conway.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 anthropomorphics are expected at this year's convention, which will include workshops, panel discussions and an art exhibition.
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