RainFurrest is a defunct furry convention[1]: 104  in the U.S. The convention was made in 2007 to replace a previous convention called Conifur Northwest. In 2013 it became the fifth furry convention to surpass 2000 attendees.[2]: 70, 186-188  It is particularly notable for multiple repeated incidents and managerial failures.[2][3][4]

RainFurrest
Rainfurrest 2016 logo
StatusDefunct
GenreFurry
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Seattle, Washington
Inaugurated2007
Most recent2015 (2015)

Locations and attendances by year

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Year Dates Location Theme Charity Attendance Parade
2007[2]: 186  August 24–26 Holiday Inn Seattle-Sea-Tac Airport Hotel The Rainforest (retroactively assigned)[2]: 187  The Sarvey Wildlife Center (almost $1,000) 370 41
2008[2]: 186  September 26—28 Seattle Airport Marriott Flight The Ferret Rescue Society ($1,000+) 599 89
2009[2]: 186  September 18—20 Seattle Airport Marriott Zombie Attack Critter Care Wildlife Society ($536.78) 905 159
2010[2]: 186  September 24—26 Seattle Airport Marriott Furst on the Moon Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center ($3,000+) 1,045 184
2011[2]: 186  September 22—25 Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center Furry Camping Love a Mutt Pet Rescue ($4,000+) 1,420 378
2012[2]: 187  September 27—30 Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center Warehouse Furteen Rabbit Meadows Sanctuary and Adoption Center ($2,500+) 1,705 517
2013[2]: 187  September 26—29 Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center Dancing in the Moonlight The Clouded Leopard Project ($6,454.17) 2,202 487
2014[2]: 187  September 25—28 Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center Cyberpunk: Fur Meets Chrome Cougar Mountain Zoological Park ($7,000) 2,586 504
2015[2]: 187 [5][6] September 24—27 Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center Swords and Sorcery Cougar Mountain Zoological Park ($10,000+) 2,704 492

Incidents

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According to Fred Patten, there was discussion online among the furry community about the destructive behavior at RainFurrest 2015,[2]: 6  with there being reports of vandalism, multiple visits by the police, and a number of arrests.[7] Reasons for the arrests included assault, sexual assault, and drug possession.[3]

Then organizers released a letter to attendees, claiming that "For the last few years, the Hilton sustained more damage during RainFurrest than it did from every other event at the Hilton the entire rest of the year."[7] The Hilton terminated their contract as a result of this behavior,[1]: 104  and RainFurrest 2016 was cancelled after the organizers were unable to find a suitable alternative venue.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Austin, Jessica Ruth (August 26, 2021). Fan Identities in the Furry Fandom. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-5013-7542-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Patten, Fred (February 3, 2017). Furry Fandom Conventions, 1989-2015. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-2688-8.
  3. ^ a b c "The insane story of a furry convention undone by its descent into debauchery". The A.V. Club. July 17, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "RainFurrest 2016 Post-Mortem – The Literorrery". September 8, 2019. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Baume, Matt. "Being a Furry Can Change Your Life". The Stranger. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  6. ^ "Gene Armstrong Dispels Myths About Furries".
  7. ^ a b "A Letter to our Attendees | RAINFURREST". archive.md. December 13, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
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