Tag: MFF

It began yesterday with this post MFF made on social media.

Having been a sponsor and after a friend texted me I checked out my email.

Thank you for your Sponsor membership at Midwest FurFest 2023. As you are likely aware, some gifts arrived too late for distribution at the convention.

Sponsors and Shiny Sponsors both were to receive:

• A knit winter cap with embroidered art on the front

Shiny Sponsors, in addition to the sponsor item above, should also receive:

• A 32oz stainless steel water bottle labeled with MFF artwork
• A reusable gel warmer labeled with the MFF 2023 logo

The good news is we have received these items and we are ready to distribute them. To ensure we have the correct information for you, we ask you please complete this verification form and fill it out to receive your items.

You’ll be asked to select from one of three options as to how you would like receive your items:

1. Thanks, but I don’t need them
2. Please hold these items for me, I’ll pick them up in 2024
3. Please ship my swag to me

If you wish to have your items shipped, you’ll be asked to provide a shipping address to ensure accuracy. Shipping is at the convention’s expense (you won’t be charged for it), and items are expected to be sent in March.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at registration@furfest.org

Please complete this by Sunday, February 4^th. If you do not respond, items will not be shipped to you and they may not be available for pick up in 2024.

Again, thank you for sponsoring this past year at Midwest FurFest and we hope to see you again in 2024.

Best regards,

MFF Registration

If you were a sponsor and have not received this email. Send one to registration@furfest.org

I know the items differ from my original report. But it’s been almost 2 months since MFF and I think they went to what was available. I know I will be wearing my brand new knit cap.

I honestly like checking out furry music that I know nothing about and occasionally will buy a CD not knowing what is on it. That is what happened in this case.

I was at MFF 2023 when I saw a booth with Animal Art Crimes. Who is an amazing graffiti artist, I suggest checking them out on X/ Twitter. After buying a few things I went to check out the opposite side where I saw this CD.

You might notice no title and no artist, the person who sold it to me wasn’t even wearing a name badge and only told me I would like the music. It’s good, and would like to give them credit but as this date. No one seems to can ID this CD, which is the reason for this post. Any idea please comment.

We hope that you enjoyed your Snow Da-wait. The snow’s gone! Did it get stolen? The Great FurFest Heist is coming to Midwest FurFest in 2024. What’s the plan? What’s your role in the heist? What are we after? Find out by joining us next year – December 5th through 8th, 2024!

It’s been a week and it still was a wild ride, although I would have like to volunteer. Circumstances made that impossible for me. Hopefully in the future I will be able.

I guess the biggest thing both for me and my friend was the Fursuit Games, and them on the winning team. For the record I was the one behind the camera

Using an unfamiliar older video camera.

One rumor I heard for the longest time, and I know it’s a bit silly. Get there early there be room. Speaking of which MFF did a fantastic job for the most part for both matching the popularity of the panel to the correct size room. Also splitting panels and events more to the convention center where there is obviously more room. There was a few issues with some like the Tech Mafia Panel, as well as a few others. More live and learn.

Which in turn made the Hyatt less crowded than usual. It was so bad last year at the Hyatt I looked for other routes to get around.

Speaking of which the buses they contracted were extremely busy, so was the ride sharing services, and a lot more was walking when the weather allowed. It rained for 2 1/2 of the 3 for the main convention. Will have to admit that outside route is faster than the Skybridge, it is certainly shorter.

I know I am a on a lot of social media and tend to talk too much. But when I got applause at that one panel, I might actually do one on Finding Your Place in the Fandom. More doing what you like despite what obstacles you might run into. Just an idea I might actually do at Mephit Fur Meet.

Under If You Think You Had Problems

No access to Wifi at my hotel has got me thinking, before the next MFF and before I travel to my next con I may get one of those mobile hotspots. As long as it can connect to a cell tower I got a signal. It was really frustrating.

Something no one has talked about Those Lockers that seem to be everywhere, or at least on the route to the Grand Ballroom. You can see them in this photo #FursuitFriday

At one point they all were filled, I would say that idea was a HUGE Hit.

I got the say this meeting all those fursuiters mainly because we had the room. It was easier to take photos and interact with all of them.

One Last Thing

Streetpass was a feature in the 3DS where you should swap data. Mainly puzzle pieces, Birthdates, location, and interests. Last year when there was an Official Meet I got a total of 53 for the entire convention. This Past MFF 59 and counting the ones at IFC I say if your a Streetpass fan, go to a fur con.

Ambulences

Last year 14, I would say maybe 6 or 7 this year and not for the Skybridge other medical issues. No one was saying anything.

That’s it for now

I usually consider Sunday the last day of any MFF a day for things to calm down. But OH Brother that didn’t happen.

After what I consider a rather good breakfast at Denny’s. Recently I heard some criticism over the quality of their meals. I can honestly say I didn’t have a bad one. They hit the spot every time will be back. Amazing the number of furries who made their way to Denny’s. Surprising enough they only saw 2 or 3 fursuiters. Including my friend.

On to MFF, which during our stay was an Uber ride, 5 mins and your there.

We did the usual things but we wanted to see the Autism Panel

Autism in The Furry Community: An Overview

Presented by James as James

I try not to judge people and or furries. But really WTF?!!! What was it about people scared to use gender neutral restrooms and a sexual type I frankly never heard of before. This was the bulk of this panel. I thought this was going to be about Autism and the everyday problems…. Not this.

A Panel should not leave you wondering WTF did I hear.

After this I am avoiding any panel hosted by James as James

On the other paw

Plug and Say Hosted by LunaTheCute was amazing

It was a panel where you could honestly promote yourself. You were given a chance to sit before an audience and be interviewed. It was GREAT!!!

Yes they applauded me, and every card I left was taken.

Everyone who was called felt better afterwards including seeing an amazing fursuit

We wanted to see Joining The Furry Tech Mafia panel, be we were 5 minutes late and the panel room was FULL

Sadly that leads us to The Closing Ceremony and OH MY!!!!

Every seat was taken

We had 15, 547 which is just shy of a 2000 jump in attendance

But that wasn’t all

The charity donation is always interesting. They present a check this one was for $100,000 for the record the most money they ever raised during the convention. Then they sold 2 standees that were featured at 2 hotels. One was even taken by this one hotel, that raised some more, then the matching funds pledge by the staff and an anonymous donor and OH MY.

In total and I am going what has been publicly announced

Live Like Roo received $185,758.31

The 2nd highest donation in furry convention history… for the record the 1st was held at a previous MFF.

Everyone was in tears of joy.

One last report tomorrow

What a busy day that was…

First Up Stickers

No Sticker Pole video, there was only 1 sticker on that pole. The reason why was simple the RAIN it was wet from Friday to Sunday so that just left the official ones was it 2 or 3

Then there was this

To why it was there, that 2nd board wasn’t up on Friday. I know I didn’t see it or Saturday Morning when this photo was taken.

FOOD Namely The Sponsor Brunch it was excellent

The only things worth mentioning are Paks. They were set up in the lobby of the convention center. The Best Poke Bowl I ever ate and yes they had a vegetarian option and it was $17 and it was incredible.

I swear they were the busiest restaurant during the entire con. I ate lunch there every single day and I give them a very solid 10.

Fursuit Charades was pure fun, I am happy they got a larger space this year

As I stated previously I had no internet at my hotel. Too few IP addresses a tech friend put it. Plus as it turned out I had issues with the main laptop I use. One reason to bring a tablet next time.

Here is what I missed

Believe me I know that Sponsors Pin is a little hard to see but it is on that lanyard.

It started out so differently than I was use to which is mainly waiting for Reg to open then rush over to the Opening Ceremony. It’s strange when you got time

and room to move…

Besides heading to a few panels there is the usual Dealer’s Den and Artist Alley which was fantastic

A friend got in on Fursuit Price is Right

But I would say the proudest moment for both of us was when my friend was on the winning team of The Fursuit Games. A self proclaimed out of shape geek. Believe me they are still smiling.

I think one of the hardest moments for me was Live Like Roo. This year’s charity who helps people when their pet has cancer. My dog died 3 years ago from a combo of old age and cancer. I was conflicted between giving them what I could afford and actually give. The dogs they had were sweet and they do amazing work. If I knew of them back then I know things would have been different.

It’s hard to loose a loved one to cancer, and I do consider pets part of the family. On top of this my own brother died of cancer 10 years ago. So as you see the subject is hard for me. Really I was a mess at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

One more thing my friend as an experiment brought a 25 year old camera that recorded images on a floppy. He managed to give away a few but despite the image quality they turned out pretty good.

He also made a copy of the photo on floppy to anyone who was in a photo with him. Did managed to give away a few. I advised him to make some sort of public announcement for next year.

More tomorrow

Believe me folks I am happy to be home, my laptop fully functioning, my friend/ roommate is home and I hope getting the sleep that they deserve. MFF 2023 for me was a wild ride.

Lets Start off where I stayed.

Motel 6, and before anyone says anything I got a room there cheap, and it was also small. Only slighly larger than my RL bedroom.

But it was good, clean and more or less quiet. I say that because it also lay under a flight path.

On top of that a Limited Number of IPs. For your non tech types, since the hotel was SOLD OUT. There was not even places for everyone to use this Public Wifi. I will be leaving my laptop at home next time and bring my tablet. I had no wifi period.

But mine you this is Thurday Nov 30 coverage. So what did we do? Reg of course

All Sponsors and Shiny Sponsors as far as the eye can see.

Later according to MFF they process over 9000 Registrations on Thursday.

The Line to Get The Badge was around 50 mins, add about an hour to get The Swag

Namely this

What you don’t see and that includes a Sponsor Ribbon

As well as the coupon for the Tee which was redeemed and that’s still packed

You might notice a little card? That is suppose to be a Plush for Sponsors plus 1 extra item for Shiny Sponsors. The only thing my source told me that it is somewhere in the US. They said later during Closing that Sponsors are going to get an email later about that.

Meanwhile and this is a Furry Times exclusive 1 Gopher Item is also missing A Gopher-branded MFF ushanka (11 hours) They too will be contacted by email.

More tomorrow need to unpack.

As I sit here and type this, both my suitcase and backpack are nearby. And in a couple of hours from now I will be heading to the hotel where a friend and I will be staying at for MFF. It isn’t exactly close but it’s a 7 minute Uber ride on top of a more than 90 minute ride on the CTA and I am there. Frankly since this is my 1st time being able to report on the early hours of the convention. I have been told you see more fursuiters and whatever happens I will be reporting on this.

Frankly I hadn’t been this nervous/ excited since my very 1st MFF which as in fact 10 years ago. I wish I could say everything was great but. With my brother dying a few month’s earlier and no one to take care of my dog. I was a mess, and I really mean it. I felt horrible, and then felt I would feel this way for life.

But as we all know time heals all wounds and I did get better. But a finical setback, and the US govt being a pain in my arse behind me. I did go to IFC this past year and I had a great time. But as I said MFF 2023 is different. Or as the Brits say, “Adopt, adapt and improve”. All while changing Health Insurance companies, what a pain this is.

Amazing what I can get myself into not am I reporting on MFF for myself, but GFTV, All Fur Radio and I will be reporting how many StreetPass hits for a group on X and or Twitter.

YEP

All the while having fun with a friend and fingers crossed volunteering. Which if I figure right might be more on Sunday.

It’s a tie between what I want to do and have to do. It’s my friend 1st time fursuiting at the Fursuit Games. Normally I would see the Furry Variety Show, but that I am sad to say will have to wait to the video winds up on YouTube.

If you want to see something different I would recommend Fursuit Charades. I saw it last year and it was fantastic pure fun!!!

That’s about it for now Tomorrow the real posts start. Look for @Dr_Timefox for updates as well as @ahmarwolf.bsky.social Things are going to be insane.