NYFB PARENTAL GUIDE

If your child has expressed interest in New Years Furry Ball or the furry fandom as a whole, we’re sure you have some questions. Read on for answers to some of the most common ones, and don’t hesitate to contact us if there’s something we haven’t covered here.

WHAT IS New Years Furry Ball AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

Every year New Years Furry Ball (or NYFB) raises funds for either an animal or LGBT health related non profit charity organization. These have included Mazzoni in Philadelphia, Faithful Friends Animal Society, and The Trevor Project.

We also provide a dealers room for people to share their wares and talents.

Our primary goal for this event is to provide a social venue and entertainment for our attendees. Attendees from all over the East coast come to Delaware each year for New Years Furry Ball. Many of these people are friends that have found each other via the internet or at other events, and our convention provides one of the few times they may be able to see each other during the year.

WHAT IS THE FURRY FANDOM?

A fandom is a collection of people who are interested in a similar topic; think football fans or fans of a TV show. Furry in general is the study and/or appreciation of anthropomorphic animals, which are animals with human characteristics. Think Disney and Warner Brothers cartoons, Zootopia and Bugs Bunny.

What furry means to each individual can vary and it may be different from person to person in the fandom. For some, it is just the appreciation of animals and anthropomorphic animals. Others may develop their own characters based on real or fantastical animals or mixes of either. For some, these characters are just masks they put on when in the community, but others may feel a spiritual connection between themselves and their character.

WHAT ARE SOME EVENTS AT NYFB?

New Years Furry Ball provides the premier experience for celebrating the new year in style. In addition to the balldrop ceremony, we also provide a fully catered dinner, game room, a dealers den with wares, as well as an auction of donated items to benefit our event charity.

DO YOU NEED A COSTUME TO ATTEND NYFB?

Absolutely not! A majority of our attendees do not own costumes.

IS NYFB AGE-APPROPRIATE?

New Years Furry Ball is generally appropriate for all ages.

While costuming and conduct for all attendees must comply with our code of conduct and applicable legal statute, parents should expect a wider variety of costuming and expression after the sun sets.

Attendees under the age of 18 are issued clearly identifiable minor badges. Parents and guardians are reminded that children should be accompanied at all times, and are responsible for both the location and conduct of their charges.

WHAT ARE THE REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PRICES FOR CHILDREN AT NYFB?

Children 15-17 years of age may attend the convention without their parents or guardians, but must provide a signed and notarized copy of our parental permission form, which is available HERE.

Children 14 or younger may only attend with their parent/guardian or with another adult that has been given permission to act as the child’s guardian.

Attendees 8-17 years old and older pay a reduced rate of $45.00 pre-reg and $50.00 onsite. Children under 8 are admitted free and can obtain a free badge from registration while supplies last. Parents must purchase their own badge separately.

For full details, please see our Registration and Registration FAQ pages.

WHERE SHOULD I PARK?

Free parking is provided outside the hotel.

Please see our Getting There page for more information on traveling to the event.