Furries Gassed By Cranimals
from AP via TwinCities.com
Criminal probe after gas evacuates 'furries' event
By Don Babwin Associated Press
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Dressed as rabbits, foxes and dragons, the costumed delegates to an annual conference chatted and exchanged high-paws as they filed out of a suburban Chicago hotel and across the street to a convention center that was hosting a dog show.
Although some participants at the Midwest FurFest convention thought the mass evacuation was just part of the fun, investigators weren't laughing. They were probing as a criminal matter the release of a gas that sickened several hotel guests Sunday morning and forced thousands of people — many dressed as cartoon animals — to temporarily leave the building.
Nineteen people who became nauseous or dizzy were treated at local hospitals, and at least 18 were released shortly thereafter. Within hours, emergency workers decontaminated the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and allowed people back inside.
"Nobody uses real fur," said Frederic Cesbron, a 35-year-old forklift operator who rode a plane to Chicago from his home in France. He attended the convention dressed head-to-toe in a fox outfit that he said cost him about $2,000 four years ago but would go for $3,000 today.
Attendees said they came for fun, but also for the spiritual and artistic aspects of the convention that have them celebrating animal characters from movies, TV shows, comic books and video games. Some also create their own characters and appreciate being in an atmosphere where nobody seems surprised or shocked by an elaborate, bright purple dragon.
"Everyone is from a different background," said Michael Lynch, a 25-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin, who, like his buddy, McCreedy, dressed as a fox. "Nobody judges anybody. It's nice to come to a place like that."
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