Photos: Furries, And Their Fans, Frolic Downtown During Anthrocon

90.5 WESA | By Rebecca Devereaux

Published July 12, 2015 at 10:42 PM EDT

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Anthrocon has always included an annual fursuit parade, but 2015 marked the first time furries have marched outdoors.

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Furries make their way along the parade route Saturday.

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Parade attendees hold up signs as furries pass by.

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Some of the furries danced and did tricks during the parade.

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Children and adults reached out for high fives as the furries walked past during the fursuit parade Saturday. Many received hugs from the furries.

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After the parade ended many attendees stayed around to get photos with furries.

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A furry stops to take a photo.

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A furry takes a stroll Saturday afternoon in the Cultural District.

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A sign outside the Sinful Sweets Chocolate Company. Many of the businesses along Penn Avenue in the Cultural District welcomed furries with festive signage and extra seating.

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Furries gather for a group photo inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

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The world’s largest convention for furries, those fascinated with anthropomorphics, returned to Pittsburgh over the weekend with thousands of attendees converging on Downtown.

Anthrocon includes workshops, acting seminars, costume-building, animation, writing, art, design, lectures and more. It has also traditionally included an annual fursuit parade, but this year marked the first time furries marched outdoors.

The convention began in 1997 with about 300 attendees before deciding on Pittsburgh in 2006. Organizers have returned every year.