Tag: MFF

I went to a MFF Board meeting and here is what I heard.

MFF Officially explains in to The Donald E. Stevens Convention Center this year. How much space they are going use is still to be determined. What brought this on was both a record number of dealers (The largest in MFF history), and the crowd in the dealers area.

NEW and Better Fans for the Fursuit Lounge. Even the board members were complaining about the box fans they had been using.

The Fursuit Dance Competition gets a much larger area this year. Presumable it will be in the convention center.

There will be a much larger 2nd stage

Lastly starting in 2017 there will be a new top sponsor tier. Which will include a concierge, and direct customer service to the con staff. As well as a service when taking the Hyatt bus, where you not only get your room. But your con registration.

The sponsors get a cash bar this year

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!!!

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

I want to thank the staff of Midwest FurFest for posting the numbers of fursuiters in the parade yesterday so quickly. But I am amazed by that number, we had 1,378 fursuiters yesterday. That is only 82 shy of what Anthrocon had earlier this year and up 246 over last year.. Yes it jumped by that much. On average we go get a higher percentage of fursuiters over Anthrocon.

Would you believe it a furry/fursuiter would even wear something like this.

I got the full story from someone standing next to me during the parade. It seems this fursuiter wears this only for shock value. Look after what happened to MFF last year and security the highest I ever seen. I did not need to see this. Thankfully all this fursuiter does is get where he is going and then takes it off.

Ironically this is the same fursuit you might of heard of that people have been threatening to damage.

There is nothing in this world like bringing a friend to their very 1st fur con on their birthday. Let me tell you they had an incredible time…especially since the hotel kept on comping their drink order. The sights and sounds of a fur con are simply fun. I admit I done less than what I had planned on, but I call it confusion on my part and them renaming the Con Suite to the Furfest Lounge.

But every single year I have gone to MFF I am simply blown away by the amazing variety of the fursuits. Speaking of which how many of you have checked out the work of Kandorin Creations in freaking credible. Each one is like a work of art.

Speaking of art I had the hardest time tracking down Mary Mouse’s table as I love her work and been collecting her Creepy Critter Cards ever since my very 1st fur con in 2013. I was simply deleted when I came across here in person. She is very sweet and rather humble of her work. The Certified Sheep badge I bought (really a wolf in sheep’s clothing) she admits is her biggest seller, next to the Certified Certified badges. The Certified Everything is 3rd.

Did manage to go to the Bad Questions panel, I got the biggest laugh when I told them about me being the photographer in a friend’s church and I make up my own lyrics to the Christian songs. None of which could be said in church.

My Blog’s Business cards were snatched up fast. Every single one I placed on a table where others had their cards. Were gone in minutes, I decided to bring one box with me. I am sure I’ll be down to one box by the end of this fur con.

While I was at the panel my friend wound up staying for a drink at the bar and was mauled by a hyena (fursuiter) while the other critters as she puts it was watching. She had a great time, and a whole lot of fun.

I guess the most ironic thing that happened yesterday was when I ran in to a couple of friends who where in need of a SD card. I decided to bring a spare one today.

Day 2 the Fursuit Parade and boy am I excited for that.