I left early for Texas Furry Fiesta 2025 this year. I had skipped 2023 and 2024 due to health reasons so this would be my first time in the Sheraton in the new convention space and seeing downtown Dallas in earnest. I should add Fiesta remains one of my favorite conventions and an event I have loved attending for many years. It was a shame I missed those years and broke my streak. Still, it could not be helped.

I’ll admit this year I considered canceling going. With the current state of national politics and Texas politics in particular I was disinterested in spending tourism money there. Further with a huge measles outbreak I admit some health concerns. The only reason I ended up sticking to the plan was my friend Ronnie from the UK was attending and I wanted to meet up with him finally. Besides I had made my arrangements and I would be remiss to skip out on Teiran, Fuzz, and Ajax at the furplanet table.

The long and short is that Furry Fiesta remains one of the most well run and seamlessly operated conventions in the USA and a great event to attend. I had a great time and enjoyed myself. I saw some great people and had a good time. My biggest regret is not taking enough pictures.
MONDAY
I had left a few days early to see my friends and spend a few days relaxing into the convention. I wanted to also help the FurPlanet crew with preparations especially as it had been a rocky and difficult March for them. So that Monday I got on a plane at a reasonable hour of 8:30 AM Mountain time and landed at 11:30 AM Central time. Taking a cab to the Sheraton and checking in I found the room extremely nice (though it had an odd layout). I found out the room was one the team had the year before and liked as a space to spread out in.

After a shower to clean off the travel funk and a little unpacking I grabbed some lunch, a porkbelly sandwich (oh Texas never change). After that walked over to the hotel Ronnie, Hyperriffic, Ricky Fox, Flare Fox, and Corgi were all staying in. It was a whirl wind of introductions but lovely to meet folks there and hear from everyone. We hung out for a bit and chatted and it was honestly a nice chill first meeting with a lot of good furry folks.


TUESDAY

Ronnie had the smoked salmon stack and I got a delightful avocado toast for breakfast. We headed off to the main group. Ronnie and the others had been active tourists the last few days and did a little sight-seeing. Hyper had rented a car to get around Dallas-Fort Worth in so that made us all mobile. We hit the Video Game museum first. It was a lot of fun watching everyone excitedly enjoying the space and seeing the old games. Apparently all the UK furs were shocked the Super NES had purple buttons when it came out. They had the more standard Red-Green-Blue-Yellow. I’ll admit I don’t know video games as well but it was fun seeing what the museum centered and how they presented the industry and its development as well as the collapse of the American marketplace in 1983.

We grabbed Breadzepplin (a new chain in Dallas where they do hollowed bread filled with salads and fixings) then we met up with Ajax at Madness Games and Comics a huge Dallas store filled with games, manga, and comics. A really fun spot to walk around and shop. I didn’t see anything that grabbed me but it was fun doing it with Ronnie and Ajax (and everyone else). We then hit H-Mart a Korean Grocery store that was very upmarket. They had some amazing selections of things and foods. I got some Mango Mochi!

After that we drove home and the big logistical problem for FurPlanet became obvious the convention used to be a lot closer to them and now it wasn't. The drive was long and Dallas being a sprawling city has serious traffic issues. I admit I hit my wall by the time we got back to the hotel area. I was peopled out and the drive back in traffic was stressful. So I begged off hoping I wasn’t too grumpy. Heading back to hotel alone I grabbed some food (chicken tenders and fries) and decompressed by walking around the neighborhood a bit to clear my head.


WEDNESDAY

I headed downstairs for breakfast where I got a broken egg sandwich and Ronnie got a massive omelet. We were parting for the day as I wanted to help furplanet out and Ronnie and the gang were doing their own event including a dinner at Buddy’s house. I couldn’t do the hour drive out and help the team so I skipped the dinner. This also meant I didn’t get to meet Horizon Hyena when he arrived.

I took a lyft out to FurPlanet HQ and arrived to find Ajax decided to spoil me instead of having me do work. So we went to Half Priced books to look for some editions of a book series I am collecting (the 1992-1995 run of Rex Stout novels) and hung out for a few hours. We stopped at Maggiano’s for a delicious Italian lunch. Then getting back to HQ I did some of the count to help out. I don’t think I was very helpful but I got a little work done for them. Sadly Fuzzwolf had really hurt his back a few days before and he was out of sorts. It was a real shame for the wolf and for all of us as his presence adds to everyone’s good time.

Buck and WuWei arrived and Teiran suggested dumpling at Wu Wei Din (no relation to the wolf except he loves it). Very good dumplings! Then back to the hotel where Buck and Wu Wei were spending the night. I hear it was a good dinner at Buddy’s for Hyper, Ronnie, Flare, Ricky, Corgi, and Horizon!

THURSDAY

I had told the FurPlanet guys to call me in when they needed me but I had to help a few folks that morning so I didn’t rush over to HQ. WuWei had a meeting for work and I took the morning lightly reading League of Frightened Men. We got Wuwei and Buck situated in their room after that and by then it was nearly lunch.

I met up with Kit and Kyell as well as Ronnie. Ricky joined us for a bit in the room but he had to bounce. Storing their bags in the hotel room we got some baller tex mex at Uno Mas. Somehow the Rat and Fox always know the best spots. It was a delicious lunch and walk in Dallas downtown with folks and conversation about books.

Ronnie had also been asked to join our room for a few days. So he moved his bags in and it was nice to have him there. Honestly it was a lovely upgrade for me personally. Teiran and Ajax though thought Ronnie a wonderful addition to the room so that was nice.

That evening it was far busier as the load in and set up began. As I was already there I hung out with Nighteyes and Roz as well as Rukis and Alistair. Fuzz and Teiran drove their fully loaded cars down a little later and everyone helped in the unload and set up. Teiran, Fuzz, and Ajax were exhausted from a difficult day dealing with not just packing the cars but also insurance so they all were home for the night. More badger cuddes for me

FRIDAY

The official start of con saw me rushing out early to Starbucks to get tea and then at the table to do a little more set up work. Getting that all in order took time and I admit feeling stressed but after a little early lunch the table was ready for folks.

I won’t go into too much detail except it was BUSY and active as usual for Fiesta as a con. A lot of people. A lot of new people. I saw several familiar faces and good folks. That evening Fugue, Ajax, and I ate in the hotel restaurant and hung out for a bit. Apparently Ronnie and the gang got some amazing Korean BBQ that has ruined them on future Korean BBQ. I freely admit I collapsed into bed.

SATURDAY
Another busy day of the table but it went smoothly. I slept in later as opening wasn’t until 10ish. Ronnie and I grabbed breakfast. A pleasant day had by all. Busy as well. Ronnie actually got to see the table and how crazy busy it can get. A lot more hours there but it went smoothly. I got to see AstralTanuki and Shamblessed. I met some other cool folks. WuWei got Third in the Charity poker tournament. A good day!

Teiran got Maggianos for the table and we ate in the room. It was good but I was missing vegetables by this part of the Texas trip. After cleaning that up Ajax, Ronnie, and I hung out and went to the gaming space on the 36th floor. It was a trek to get there and does highlight some of the problems with the Sheraton in finding spaces for all the convention events. Having to switch elevators to reach the spot was amusing but a little daunting. I did get to meet Budyd finally and he's a good big beast. Getting back to the room we had a grand time laughing and chatting with each other. Ajax will forever remember Ronnie’s comments on Emma Frost/White Queen.

SUNDAY
It does seem like these entries are short but what is there to say? I did sales, I saw folks, I had fun showing people books and comics. In the end it was a good day and we got the car packed up nicely. Ajax was tired and went home to sleep in his own bed. I went out for Sushi with Rukis, Alistair, Kit, and Kyell at Yellowtail a very high end fancy sushi place. It was a delightful meal and time. I just wish Ronnie had been there for it, however he was having dinner with Hyper and Flare and the rest. Kit, Kyell, and I got ice cream and walked back to the hotel.

So the day ended and while busy and active I’m just not sure what to write. We did hear the convention had 8,600+ attendees! Which is amazing. It was good the convention took health seriously and had a check up station for testing and a pro-masking policy.

MONDAY, redux

Ronnie left first then Teiran and I cleaned up the last of our things and we loaded the van and left. A successful Furry Fiesta done. We joined up at FurPlanet HQ with Ajax and made quick work emptying the van. I got started on the count but WuWei, Ocean, Kit, Kyell, and Buck joined us at the HQ and we went off to the breakfast restaurant Awake. After a decent waffle we got back to HQ to hang out and chat with Fuzz and the rest. As everyone slowly trickled away I excused myseIf and finished the count of the novels.

Kit, Kyell, Teiran, and I hit Hard Eight BBQ (another Texas institution) and I think I hit my wall for meat. It was delicious though. Dropping the rat and fox off at their hotel we got back to HQ and I crashed into sleep.

TUESDAY, the final day

Waking up early I got a little reading done then after Ajax woke up I did the counts on the comics and magazines for FurPlanet. I’m such an early riser I admit I was camped on the couch reading for a few hours. Still I was happy to get to work on the counts as this always takes time and is a task that can be hard. We shockingly got it down and done and to celebrate Ajax and I went to get crepes. Very, very, very sweet crepes, no more meat! Teiran and Fuzz had to do their day jobs.

As the time for the flight rolled around I said goodbye to both wolves. I did leave feeling great that I helped with the count. Ajax took me to the airport and we said those goodbyes. Ronnie and the UK furs flew out the same day but from a different airport.

I got home to a happy to see my dog and my family. Dog was happy to see me. Parents happy to see me as well. I spent the day unpacking and plotting the work needed for Wednesday (getting my new laptop from Costco before the tariffs hit, laundry, and making a cake)

In the end it was a long trip but one I felt ended on a good note of helping friends. I found out Ronnie who I have spoken to for years and I have good chemistry and a similar sense of humor. I saw good friends. I had a fun time. It was a good convention but my biggest regret is not getting many pictures. That was an error on my part, still picture failures aside I wouldn’t have changed much of my activities and events. So a good time and a good convention. We will see where the future leads.