Western PA Furry Weekend (WPAFW)

Western PA Furry Weekend (WPAFW) is a deeply entrenched, highly beloved regional institution operating brilliantly in the Greater Pittsburgh area! Unlike the massive, hyper-commercialized convention-center events that dominate the North American circuit, WPAFW has spent over twenty years perfecting a brilliantly intimate, lodge-centered retreat specifically designed to foster genuine community connections.

A Cozy Regional Retreat

Scheduled for the gorgeous October 2-4, 2026 weekend, the convention takes full advantage of the crisp Pennsylvania autumn.

Operating entirely out of the beautiful North Park Lodge in Allison Park, PA, WPAFW deliberately eschews standard convention features like a massive Dealer's Den in favor of a profoundly social, fiercely charitable atmosphere. With a recent attendance hovering around a highly comfortable 600 attendees, it acts as the perfect mid-sized regional "sweet spot"--large enough to sustain massive energy and brilliant programming, but small enough that attendees never feel lost in a sea of strangers. Note that WPAFW operates as a strict 21+ event, guaranteeing a highly mature, relaxed environment tailored explicitly for adult socialization.

Getting There

The lodge's positioning makes it an incredibly easy target for the massive Northeast and Midwest furry populations:

• Driving: WPAFW is profoundly "drive-in" friendly. Because the venue operates in a gorgeous suburban park setting just north of Pittsburgh, attendees flowing in from Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and broader Pennsylvania can easily road-trip straight to the venue without navigating dense downtown grids.
• Flying: For those flying in, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) acts as an exceptional, highly modern hub. Because the lodge is tucked into North Park, attendees landing at PIT will need to secure a rental car or coordinate rideshares for the roughly 40-minute drive into the suburban park setting.

Accommodation

The lodging dynamic here is entirely unique to the "lodge-con" format:

• No Attached Hotel: Because the physical North Park Lodge operates purely as the convention's social and programming hub, there are no attached hotel rooms!
• The Pittsburgh Network: Attendees simply book lodging at the massive array of highly affordable, extremely comfortable hotels scattered throughout the immediate Allison Park and broader Pittsburgh suburban grid. The entire culture of the convention revolves around attendees making the brilliant, highly scenic daily commute into the park to hang out at the lodge!

Highlights

• The Lodge Format: A genuinely brilliant departure from standard hotel cons, utilizing the gorgeous North Park Lodge as a central, highly social gathering hub.
• Over Twenty Years Running: An absolute pillar of the American regional circuit, boasting a phenomenally dedicated, long-running community.
• Strictly 21+ Exclusive: Completely stripping away all-ages restrictions to foster a mature, deeply relaxed adult atmosphere.
• The Perfect Mid-Size Con: Flawlessly balancing a healthy ~600 attendee cap to maintain its legendary, ultra-cozy vibe.