Midwest FurFest (MFF) 2024 delivered a memorable experience for thousands of attendees, blending remarkable programming with record-setting participation.

Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, the convention ran from December 5–8 and welcomed a staggering 16,800 attendees.

MFF 2024 embraced an ambitious and visually striking theme, resulting in some of the most impressive staging seen at the event to date. However, the immersive setting came at a cost—namely, overwhelming crowds and significant delays.

On Thursday, December 5, staff processed an estimated 11,000 registrations, with lines nearly stretching out the convention center’s front doors.

Standard badge pickups reportedly took 34 minutes on average, while sponsor attendees endured up to 90 minutes in two separate lines just to collect their registration materials and swag.

Among the coveted merchandise was one of the most praised convention t-shirts in MFF history—completely sold out by Saturday.

Despite the logistical hiccups, MFF maintained its reputation for diverse and high-quality programming.

Panels ranged from a Canine Meet and Greet and Con Horror Stories to interactive game shows like Fursuit Price is Right and the popular Fursuit Games, which were held in two editions—one on Friday and another on Sunday.

Headline performances included the Furry Variety Show, Floor Wars, and show-stopping acts like Trio Menagerie and Too Much Pasta, whose talents wowed packed audiences.

Despite organizers securing the largest Dealers’ Den and Artists Alley space to date, Friday saw both venues overwhelmed with visitors. Many attendees chose to delay shopping until Saturday in hopes of thinner crowds.

Even the notoriously congested Skybridge, which connects the Hyatt Regency and surrounding hotels to the convention center, experienced relative relief — thanks to unseasonably mild weather that encouraged attendees to walk outdoors instead.

Still, travel time between event locations — even those in the same building — often ballooned to 20–40 minutes.

Yet, as many observed, congestion varied significantly depending on the time of day and location. Videos like this walkthrough from the Hyatt Regency to the Dealers’ Den showcase the varying flow of foot traffic throughout the event.

The annual Art Show stood out for its museum-quality displays, ranging from fursuit partials to original paintings. Bidding was strong, and the total amount spent set a new record for MFF’s art auction history.

Equally impressive was the charitable spirit of the fandom. This year’s chosen beneficiary, StreetDog Coalition, received an astounding US$136,000 in donations—funds that will go toward providing care and support for pets of people experiencing homelessness.

While MFF 2024 was undeniably crowded and, at times, logistically strained, the energy and creativity of the furry community shone through.

And, as always, leave it to the fursuiters to find space and time to strut their stuff—no matter how packed the venue.

Author: Ahmar Wolf, furrytimes.usa
Editor: Pawsry Hamktxchuzhni, GFTV

Ahmar is the owner, founder and editor of furrytimes.net, a US-based furry news blog site.

MFF 2024 盛况空前：人潮破纪录，后勤压力难挡热情

2024年的美国兽展“中西部兽盛会”（Midwest FurFest）以创纪录的参与人数和精彩活动为数千名参与者带来了难忘体验。

这场于12月5日至8日在美国芝加哥史蒂芬会展中心举办的兽展，吸引了惊人的16,800名参与者。

本届盛会以极具视觉冲击力的主题设计打造了历年来最震撼的舞台效果，但沉浸式布景也带来了人潮拥堵和严重延误的代价。

12月5日周四当天，工作人员处理了约11,000份注册手续，排队队伍几乎蔓延至会展中心正门。

普通证件领取平均耗时34分钟，赞助者更需排两条队伍耗费90分钟才能领取注册材料及礼品。其中广受好评的限定T恤成为MFF史上最抢手周边，周六前便全部售罄。

尽管存在后勤压力，MFF仍保持着多元优质活动的口碑。从”犬科兽装见面会”、”展会恐怖故事分享”等主题座谈，到”价格猜猜猜（兽装版）”互动游戏秀和分周五、周日两场举行的经典兽装游戏（fursuit games），内容丰富多彩。

重磅演出环节包括一场才艺秀、舞蹈比赛，以及 “Trio Menagerie” 和 “Too Much Pasta” 等引爆全场的高水准表演。

虽然主办方今年设置了历届最大的摊位区（Dealers’ Den）与艺术展览区（Artists’ Alley），周五这两个区域仍被人流淹没，许多参与者选择延至周六购物以避开高峰。

就连连接凯悦酒店（Hyatt Regency）与会展中心、以拥堵闻名的空中走廊，今年也因异常温暖的天气使更多人选择步行而相对畅通。不过场馆内不同区域间的通行时间仍普遍达到20-40分钟。

正如多位参与者所见，拥堵程度会随时段和区域显著变化。这段从凯悦酒店至经销商展区的实拍视频便清晰展现了人流的动态变化。

年度艺术展（Art Show）以博物馆级别的展品成为亮点，从兽装部件到原创画作应有尽有。竞拍热情高涨，总成交额创下MFF艺术拍卖史新纪录。

兽迷群体的慈善精神同样令人动容，今年选定的受助机构 StreetDog Coalition 获得了13.6万美元捐款，这些资金将用于为流浪者的宠物提供医疗支持。

尽管2024年MFF存在明显的拥挤与后勤压力，兽迷社群迸发的活力与创意依然璀璨夺目。而兽装者们一如既往地见缝插针展示风采——无论会场多么水泄不通。

作者：阿马尔狼（Ahmar Wolf）, furrytimes.usa
编辑：爪利行乐主翅尼

阿马尔狼是FurryTimes.net的所有者、创始人兼主编，这是一家位于美国的兽圈主题新闻博客网站。