Rain Furrest Update

Fresh off the utter success Midwest Furfest, it’s hard to believe those who love their favorite con can destroy it far to easily. What I am talking about was the disaster called Rain Furrest.

As some of you might of heard Rain Furrest lost it’s venue. The reasons are simple and clear cut. It seem one of the hotel guest as well as a visitor to the fur con caused over $7,000 in damages, when they not only destroyed their hotel room, as well as caused major damage to adjoining rooms. To what exact happened was this, it seems they filled the hot tub in their room, then use towels to block ll the vents as well as the overflow and had group sex in the hot tub. What made it worse, was this it seems one of the members of the orgy turned on the power to the hot tub, and with everything block the motor ripped itself apart, thus tearing an opening in one of the pipes and the water went everywhere.

Far from it’s hopeful opening ceremonies

But believe it or not this was only one of the reasons the hotel ripped up Rain Furrest contract. I admit this is more rumor than anything I could confirm, but if it’s true it makes a lot of sense. Like this couple having sex on stage before the open ceremonies, sex on the public fountains around the hotel. As well as lack of supervision of content of the panels. What do I mean by that. From what I read around social media they included content such as live sex shows, demonstration of sex toys with live models, including a frank and open discussion of fetishes. Worse yet, and yes it does get worse. No one was checking badges, minors were not stopped from entering an area tht should of been restricted to 21 and over. Some of which included drinking.

This is what I saw on the news, minors being rushed away by ambulance with alcohol poisoning. Not what they or others smuggled it in, but in fact they were given alcohol at some of the panels.

Naturally the parents threatening to sue the hotel. Meanwhile Rain Furrst took no responsibility and put the blame on those running the panels.

That one is sicking, but it’s very true.

So you might be asking yourself, “Where was the staff during all of this?!!”

No where to be found by all the reports I seen. Except at Registration…and I am really not joking about this.

From everything I read, it left me honestly more questions than I had answers for that is why I was so happy to find the video of Rain Furrest Closing Ceremony. Keep in mind by then they already knew they lost there hotel.

During all the awards they were giving themselves (Yes they re giving themselves awards for a con that self destructed, check out the video), finally one of them admitted they had MAJOR issues. So after announcing a change of board Presidents. They revealed one bit of news I didn’t hear, and that was due to the lack of checking badges many attendees got in for free. In fact they weren’t even sure of their final numbers. Check out the video for yourself.

Yes of course they announced serious changes in how panels are chosen and strict rules will be put in place for what can be a panel. I say it’s far too little, far too late.

Given all I said would you believe me if I told you, they are planning for next year. They even announced the theme and wikifur is where I found a link to their suddenly revamped website, after it was taken down.

The Hardcore Facts are this. No one in the hospitality industry wants them. A fact confirmed only by a furry friend who is in that industry, who has stated to me, “Rainfurrest is Dead, there isn’t a hotel in the area that would want them. They are too much of a liability”.

Will Rain Furrest be back next year, only time will tell. But if I were to make a prediction that it is sadly dead.

This should be a warning call to all to all furries as well as all fur cons, keep on top of things or you could be killing the con you love.

Which I am happy to say Midwest Furfest was more than on top of everything.

Midwest Furfest vs. Anthrocon

The official numbers are in and I thought it be fun to see how they compare.

These are official numbers for their 2015 conventions

First Up Anthrocon

6,389 attendees

1,460 fursuiters in parade

$35,684 was raised for Critter Camp

Second Midwest FurFest

5,606 attendees

1,378 fursuiters in parade

$60,000 was raised for Save A Vet

The Differences

MFF is closing in on Anthrocon fast with only 82 fursuiters tying their record for number in their Fursuiter Parade. With a difference of only 783 in total attendance, MFF beat Anthrocons 2013 attendance record of 5, 577 proves that MFF has the drawing power to bring in more furries. In fact this is the closest they have ever been, with only 581 increase over last years attendance Anthrocon’s power to draw furries in seems to be fading when compared to MFF. Attendance at MFF 2015 jumped by 1,035 over last year. I think it is possible MFF could be the #1 Fur Con in America as early as next year.

MFF 2015 After Thoughts

To me this was the Best MFF ever….and I know we always say that after every con. But it was the very 1st time I gone all 3 days and have the sore muscles to prove it.

Despite the record crowd things went incredibly smoothly. Except for 2 things that Confederate Flag fursuit, which promoted a lot of talk on social media. And sadly a joke that in my opinion security even though made a noticeable presence at the con kinda overreacted. It seemed this one fursuiter had a bundle of PLUSH TNT strapped to their tail. In short they got banned. Okay given the times we know find ourselves in I agree it was bad taste. But to get banned?!! I feel that security should of quietly talked to the fursuiter and maybe taking it. But getting banned was a bit harsh.

The Hyatt put a lot of effort into making this a great con, with their check in staff wearing furry head pieces with ears and creating that mascot. They really love us furries and I noticed the 20% discount on my check in their restaurant while I was there. Way to go Hyatt Regency O’Hare.

There was a HUGE improvement in cellphone service. Rarely I heard a complaint of not getting a signal, unlike previous years. If you had an older 3G phone like me, there was some issues…but all very minor.

I could go on and on over everything I saw. But I be giving myself a case of post con depression if I did.

Love Midwest FurFest and the staff and volunteers did a fantastic job!!!

2 paws way up!!!

My New Badge by Stephanie Lynn

I picked this one up by Stephanie Lynn at MFF for only $20

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Rainfurrest 2015 Fan’s After movie – USA [[Seattle]]

MFF Final Day

It really sad to see a con end, but least there is good news it will be back next year. The best thing I can say nothing unexpected happened. Which given the times we live in is the best thing I can say.

I got off on a late start yesterday, as I was unsure what I was going to do given how sore my body was. But I am glad I made it, I was only able to see the Fursuit Dance Competition and the Fursuit Games.

First up due to circumstances I was unable to see Floor Wars this year, but the Fursuit Dance Competition more than made up for it. Incredible moves, there are some amazing fursuit dancers out there. They gave the audience a chance to vote for the Novice class winner, via a text message. I didn’t vote because I thought they were all good. Also according to the judges with a tie at second place they thought the same. Literally 1 vote seperated them all.

The Fursuit Games, was downright hilarious. Everyone was having fun, nobody was taking this seriously. Even the judges who awarded a cardboard box to the best cat fursuiter. There was so much silly fun, as well as a tender moment. Where one of the fursuiters kept on checking his wheelchair and mentally challenged sibling.

I am really glad I went, even though my legs are sore as heck and so is the rest of me. I wish I didn’t have to go to work today. But I must.

I am slowly uploading the 400 or so photos I took at MFF here on Flickr feel free to check them out

MFF Day 2 Memories

Midwest FurFest was and will alway be incredible.

The fursuit parade set up was something to see. Fursuiter, after fursuiter, after fursuiter pass me by. Getting hugged by those I know. With 1378 fursuiters in the parade?!!! If I figured right the parade lasted 47 minutes. But the real highlight for me was seeing that 2 year old girl standing across from me during the fursuit parade…her reactions were literally priceless to me. It seems a member of her family makes fursuits. She had a really great time like the rest of us. The one thing I didn’t need to see was A Confederate Flag backed fursuit?!!! But thankfully his appearance didn’t last long, and everyone could enjoy the parade.

I forgot to mention yesterday over all the crowd was up, enough so I lost 3 buttons off of my backpack as I worked my way through the crowd. So was security, I saw Rosemont Police in Uniform in and around the con. They were also checking badges, given what I heard about Rainfurrest and the lack of checking. I really don’t blame them at all.

But overall the crowd was very friendly, I know I say this every year. I am still blown away by the imagination of those fursuiters. Unlike a lot of places including a couple of con I could name no one was in a rush. If you needed more time, no one was in that big of hurry

I got my 1st furry comic books. As well as a lot of other stuff. Including a badge which I still need to scan.

Taking a good friend to their very 1st fur con on their birthday…priceless.

The only thing preventing me from coming back today is I am sore and tired and my feet hurt from standing too long.
But it was a Great Con for me, thanks everyone for being there.

The Furry Variety show was amazing as it is every year. I think moving the stage gave it more of a production value.

One last thing and this goes out to a special friend who sadly recently lost his job of 14 years. I really am very happy you made it, and wound up in the parade. I wish I could of personally thanked you for being there. But this will have to so.

Right now I need to take a nap…