Thousands of furries gathered at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Thursday to kick off the 2024 Pittsburgh Anthrocon, enduring high temperatures as they celebrated the largest convention to date, with over 15,000 attendees from around the world. The four-day event features a variety of activities, including a parade, block party, river cruises, meet-ups, stage performances, and panel discussions.

Among the attendees was 17-year-old Calypso from Arizona, who wore a bright-blue fursuit inspired by lemonade. She noted the challenges of suiting in the heat, with medics responding to incidents of heat-related issues, emphasizing the importance of hydration. The convention has set up hydration stations equipped with long straws for those in fursuits.

First-time attendee Brett Cumming invested $3,000 in a partial fursuit and expressed his enthusiasm for the community, while others showcased a range of creative fursuits. Sydney Harding, a professional fursuit artist from Ontario, highlighted the strong support from Pittsburgh for the convention, which is expected to generate over $17 million in visitor spending for the city. The convention runs through Sunday, continuing to attract fans of the furry community.