Trevor Encarnacoa, a.k.a. “Ivory” an albino crow, and “Kaira” a snowy owl at attend the Anthro New England conference. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
If you’re in Boston’s Seaport this weekend, you might encounter packs of colorful, two-legged animals. That's because a celebration of “furry culture” is taking place at the Westin hotel for the Anthro New England convention.
Lions and tigers and bears — along with dogs, cats, rabbits, owls, a lot of foxes and more than a few anthro dragons — are roaming between panels, a massive vendor room and other “furry” events including an animal music concert.
“Furries” are fascinated by anthropomorphic animals in art, cartoons, comics, literature. Many of them traveled to Boston from far away, including 29-year-old Brogan Foarde of Atlanta, Georgia.
"I grew up kind of like an outcast. But when I found the furry community, it was very inclusive," he said. "So the main draw of it is the feeling of community and camaraderie." Foarde's “fursona” is a panther named Sebai.
According to Anthro New England organizers, about 3,400 furries pre-registered for the 2024 conference. Many more are expected to sign up on arrival. Last year 3,548 attendees ultimately showed up, which I'm told makes it the 9th largest con"fur"ence in the world.
We met a few enthusiastic critters after Friday's opening ceremony, and they shared some thoughts about their connection to this growing community.
29-year-old Brogan Foarde, or Sebai the Panther, traveled from Atlanta, Georgia. He used to be a mascot in college. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)Fisher the dog (Carter Andrews) is from Merrimack, NH. This is his third Anthro New England convention. "When I put the costume on my anxiety just goes away and I can be myself," he said, "I do not bark, some people think that. I get barked at a lot though. It's super fun. I think if more people tried it they'd like it." (Jesse Costa/WBUR)Lanari, a wolf, hails from New Jersey and came with Kalas the coyote. (Neither attendee wanted to share their real name.) The social aspect of furry conventions appeals to them, and they love that it's a creative, artistic community. They said their fursonas are "extensions of themselves." (Jesse Costa/WBUR)Zack Snodgrass a.k.a Zech, a maned wolf from Philadelphia; Brian Pyle a.k.a Brian, a Rottweiler also from Philly; and Brandon Gonzalez a.k.a Ember, a sabertooth tiger who traveled from Mexico to attend the Anthro New England conference. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)Khalil Reid, a.k.a. Erin, a Brooklyn fox and Moon, a corgi from New Jersey, pose without their costume heads in Vendor Hall at the Anthro New England conference. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, attendees at the Anthro New England conference leave to mingle with one another before the next scheduled event. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
