Anthrocon kicks off 18th year held in Pittsburgh, mayor pledges 'Anthrocon Day'

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Anthrocon’s 18th year being held in Pittsburgh is in full swing, and on Wednesday the Mayor of Pittsburgh commemorated the occasion by proclaiming July 1 as “Anthrocon Day”. The convention started to be held in the city 20 years ago, in 2006, which was the catalyst for the celebration. Since then, Anthrocon has held its annual furry convention around June and July in the city, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 having been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Press Conferance

In a press release last week, Visit Pittsburgh says that it expects more than 18,000 furries to come for Anthrocon. Economic activity spurred by the convention since 2006 has contributed $163.9 million to the local economy, and more than $600,000 has been donated to charities, according to the tourism board. The convention is estimating another $18.6 million will be added to the local economy this weekend, according to WPXI

Wednesday morning, a day before the convention kicked off, a joint press conference was held to commemorate 20 years. Visit Pittsburgh CEO Jerad Bachar, Allegheny County county executive Sara Innamorato, Mayor Corey O'Connor, and Anthrocon chairman Uncle Kage spoke in the 14-minute address. The remarks from the non-furries emphasized the impacts the convention has on the economy, a line of thought at odds with many aspects of the fandom, which prioritizes creativity and humanity and often chafes at measurements of praise that are quite capitalist in nature. However, the target audience for such statements are likely to the locals of the city they oversee rather than the furries themselves.

Bachar praised the convention for moving to the city 20 years ago, and the economic impacts attendees have made since. Innamorato said that “Anthrocon has become synonymous with Fourth of July weekend here in Pittsburgh,” adding that “What Anthrocon brings to the city is not just numbers, it’s really about the spirit.”

“The economic impact, the fun environment that happens each and every year when Anthrocon comes to Pittsburgh. It’s something that’s exciting for all of us,” Mayor O’Connor said. “So on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, it is my great pleasure to say that July 1st, 2026, is Anthrocon Day in the City of Pittsburgh.”

When Anthrocon found its home

Anthrocon itself was founded 29 years ago but was held in other cities, starting in Albany, New York, going to Eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia before ending up in its steadfast home in Pittsburgh two decades ago.

Recalling this time in the 2000s looking toward the Western Pennsylvania city, Uncle Kage said “the very second I came around the bend on 376, I don’t have to tell you I was sold.” In contrast to the historical notions of a “smoky city,” he said Pittsburgh is “one of the most magnificent, one of the most beautiful metropolises in the United States”. He thanked the city for embracing the convention back in 2006.

Twenty years in, it doesn’t appear the convention is going emigrate any time soon. This weekend will be very hot across the United States, not just for Anthrocon, but also those celebrating the Fourth of July and the country’s semiquincentennial. The convention will provide the usual headless lounges where fursuiters can cool off, “but a lot of our events [including] the block party and fursuit parade are going to be weather-dependent,” Anthrocon’s deputy director of public outreach Osee Koutávi told KDKA.

Anthrocon 2026 will have its final day on the 5th. It is not clear if Anthrocon Day will be annual. Anthrocon nor the press secretary for O’Connor’s office immediately responded to emailed questions.