Midwest FurFest (MFF) is a furry convention that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois, usually on the second weekend after Thanksgiving. First held in 2000, MFF is presented by Midwest Furry Fandom Inc, an Illinois educational not-for-profit corporation that exists primarily for the purpose of holding an annual convention to facilitate education in anthropomorphic literature and art. It also facilitates the donation of funds to non-profit institutions, mainly of which promote the well-being of humans and/or animals. The convention is among the most attended furry conventions in history, peaking at 16,925 attendees in 2025.
Background and history Midwest FurFest started as a furry focused part of the now defunct DucKon, a Chicago-based science fiction convention. The furry portion of the original convention was started at DucKon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. Interest grew each year, and it was estimated that by DucKon 8 (1999) between one-quarter and one-third of those present attended due to interest in the furry component of the convention.
Interest in furry specific activities grew to a size that it was no longer feasible to exist as a part of DucKon, and the convention was spun off in 2000, with the creation of Midwest Furry Fandom Inc., with the first MFF happening in November 2000. The convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000 to 13,641 in 2022, making it the largest furry convention in the world by more than 3,900 attendees over the previous largest convention, Anthrocon. It has helped raise over US$1,400,000 for various charities.
Incidents and controversies 2014 gas attack
On December 7, 2014, a gas leak occurred at the Hyatt hotel in Rosemont, where the convention was being held. The hotel was evacuated, and 19 guests were hospitalized. Later, an investigation found a broken glass bottle containing a concentration of chlorine powder inside the building. Eighteen of the nineteen people hospitalized were released soon after and the convention continued. Rosemont Police interviewed hotel guests and employees, as well as employees at local stores which sell chlorine. While these interviews and subsequent investigation did not result in any known suspects or charges, police continue to treat this as a crime.
Milo Yiannopoulos On September 15, 2019, far-right political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos announced his intention to attend that year's convention. After significant backlash from other attendees on social media, Yiannopoulos was swiftly banned from the convention the following day.
Locations, attendances, and charity donations by year Year Location Venue Attendance CharityDonation Charity 2000 Arlington Heights, Illinois Sheraton Chicago Northwest 473 $3,522 Wolf Park, Valley of the Kings big cat sanctuary, and Chicago House2001 511 $6,800 Animals for Awareness2002 Schaumburg, Illinois Hyatt Regency Woodfield 685 $6,088 Animals for Awareness2003 800 $6,500 Animals for Awareness2004 959 $7,000 Furry Friends Foundation2005 1,066 $6,800 Wildlife in Need2006 1,422 $13,049 Safe Haven Wildlife Refuge2007 1,690 $15,193 Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation2008 Wheeling, Illinois Westin Chicago North Shore 1,992 $15,000 Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy2009 2,040 $12,799 Kane Area Rehabilitation and Education for Wildlife2010 Rosemont, Illinois Hyatt Regency O'Hare 2,285 $11,300 Castaway Pet Rescue2011 2,600 $19,575 Animal Education and Rescue2012 3,216 $40,500 Felines & Canines2013 3,904 $28,000 One Tail at a Time2014 4,571 $31,446 Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary2015 5,606 $62,021 Save-A-Vet2016 7,075 $78,482 Felines & Canines2017 8,771 $85,000 CRISP2018 10,989 $94,000 SitStayRead2019 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 11,019 $224,704 Felines & Canines2020 colspan="5" 2021 Rosemont, Illinois Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 9,332 $74,303 Mission Companion Paw202213,641$106,683.66The Street Dog Coalition202315,547$185,758.31Live Like Roo202416,800$135,945.95The Street Dog Coalition202516,925$151,517Mission Compassion Paw2026TBATBATBA
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