# Furry Weekend Atlanta

Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA) is a furry convention held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Started in 2004, the convention caters to members of the furry fandom, a subculture focused around fictional anthropomorphic animal characters. Attendance has steadily risen throughout its history, peaking at 15,021 attendees in 2024.

## History

Furry Weekend Atlanta started as an outgrowth of a local furry meetups often held in Atlanta at the homes of various members of the furry fandom. As the gatherings became larger, the idea of formally holding a convention was raised. After several unsuccessful attempts, a plan was made to hold a convention in February 2004. The name Furry Weekend Atlanta was chosen to echo the name of the anime convention held in the city, Anime Weekend Atlanta. The name became a federally registered trademark on December 2, 2008. Originally held around Valentine's Day, the convention was rescheduled to be held mid-March in 2009.

## Organization

Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc., is the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation which organizes the Furry Weekend Atlanta convention. Furry Weekend Atlanta Inc. is headed by an executive committee and in addition to operating the annual convention, promotes the acceptance of the furry fandom in the southeast United States. Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc. retains only the funds necessary for the organization of the Furry Weekend Atlanta convention, and donates the rest to charities.

## Charity

In 2005 and 2006, Furry Weekend Atlanta supported the Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary, a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation center located in Ellijay, Georgia. Furry Weekend Atlanta attendees donated almost $4,000 to the Sanctuary in 2006, and almost $3,000 in 2005. From 2007 to 2023, Furry Weekend Atlanta supported the Conservator's Center, a nonprofit organization working to preserve threatened species. As of 2024, FWA supports Lost-n-Found Youth.

## Furry Weekend Atlanta by year

| Year | Dates | Location | Attendance | Charity Donation | Charity | Theme | Guests of Honor |
| 2004 | February 13–15 | Holiday Inn Atlanta | 270 | — | Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary | — | Fursuit maker and graphic artist Valentina Caicedo |
| 2005 | February 11–13 | Holiday Inn Atlanta | 500 | $3,000 | Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary | — | Artist Jessica Maia Albee, aka "Jessie T. Wolf" Artist "Fel" |
| 2006 | February 17–19 | Holiday Inn Atlanta | 563 | $4,000 | Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary | — | Cartoonist Bill Holbrook Matt Burt |
| 2007 | February 16–18 | Sheraton Gateway Hotel | 762 | — | Conservator's Center | — | Artist "Strider Orion" Artist Daria McGrain |
| 2008 | February 15–17 | Sheraton Gateway Hotel | 1,046 | $5,001 | Conservator's Center | — | Artist "Bonk" Fursuiter "TILT Longtail" |
| 2009 | March 19–22 | Hilton Atlanta | 1,371 | $5,054 | Conservator's Center | On Safari | Musician Matthew Ebel Artist "Lizardbeth" |
| 2010 | March 25–28 | Hilton Atlanta | 1,564 | $4,600 | Conservator's Center | Carnaval! | "Kami Cheetah" |
| 2011 | March 17–21 | Sheraton Atlanta Hotel | 1,621 | $8,000 | Conservator's Center | Furries in Wonderland | Fursuit makers and fursuiters Lacy and Nick Artist Zhivago Daemon |
| 2012 | March 15–19 | Sheraton Atlanta Hotel | 1,902 | $18,000 | Conservator's Center | Furries at the Moulin Rouge | Author Kyell Gold Artist and writer Rukis Croax |
| 2013 | March 14–17 | Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel | 2,396 | $18,400 | Conservator's Center | Still in Love | Artist and fursuiter Jimmy Chin Artist Hibbary |
| 2014 | March 20–23 | Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel | 2,488 | $20,000 | Conservator's Center | Furry University | Artist and fursuiter "Louvelex" |
| 2015 | April 9–12 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 3,252 | $28,000 | Conservator's Center | Shangri La: Furgotten Orient | Artist Reimina Clover Keishana Artist "Silverfox5213" |
| 2016 | March 31 – April 3 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 3,431 | $28,922 | Conservator's Center | Camp Furry Weekend | Artist "Demicoeur" |
| 2017 | April 6–9 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 4,274 | $35,000 | Conservator's Center | Game On! | Artist "Chibi-Marrow" Syber |
| 2018 | April 4–8 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 5,193 | $50,000 | Conservator's Center | Galactic Gunslingers | Strype Kazul |
| 2019 | May 9–13 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 5,645 | $50,000 | Conservator's Center | Pirates | Caraid Sean Chiplock Luis Dubuc |
| 2020 | Cancelled Originally scheduled for May 7–11 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | — | — | Conservator's Center | The Enchanted Forest | Marc Knelsen / El Ranno |
| 2021 | Convention moved online May 7–8 | At Home | — | — | Conservator's Center | The Enchanted Forest | — |
| 2022 | May 5–9 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 7,212 | $50,000 | Conservator's Center | The Enchanted Forest | Marc Knelsen / El Ranno |
| 2023 | May 11–14 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta | 10,328 | Unreleased | Conservators Center | The Lost City | Artist "Jacato" |
| 2024 | May 9–12 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | 15,021 | $100,000 | Lost N Found Youth | Furry University: Homecoming | Logan Preshaw (Wickedinsignia) |
| 2025 (Upcoming) | May 8–11 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis | — | — | — | FuturePunk | Jonathan Vair Duncan Sasha R. Jones Red Means Recording |