After three years away, the furries are back.
Anthrocon returns to Pittsburgh this weekend for the first time since 2019, marking a major milestone in a return to life downtown following pandemic restrictions.
The city's tourism agency VisitPITTSBURGH believes this year's event will be the biggest yet. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a record since the event's first year in Pittsburgh in 2006.
Attendees will fill 12 downtown hotels, generating $1.6 million in hotel revenue alone.
Susan Klein, VisitPITTSBURGH's Chief Marketing Officer, says based on $9 million in total revenue in 2019, they expect this year's event to outperform that.
"They really get out and experience the city firsthand, and in doing so they get out to different neighborhoods. They get out beyond the downtown area, and it's absolutely a boost," she said. "Not only economically, but in terms of the spirit that they bring."
In its 14 years in Pittsburgh, Anthrocon has created $71 million in revenue for the city. It doesn't appear the event plans to cut ties with the city anytime soon, according to VisitPITTSBURGH.
Antrocon chairman Dr. Samuel Conway said after three years away from the city, this weekend feels like a homecoming.
"You are a city of creators, a city of inventors, a city of dreamers, and that suits Anthrocon perfectly well because that's what we are," he said. "We were made for each other."
The event officially kicks of Friday morning. Activities include the "Fursuit Parade" on Saturday, followed by a block party on Penn Avenue between 9th and 11th Sts. until 9 p.m.