Don’t let time get away from you; if you want to join our dance competition, you’ll want to sign up sooner rather than later! Once all spots are full, they’re full and that’s that! Get ready to get on stage and shake your tail for prestige and prizes!
Waltz over to https://lonestarfurcon.com/attend/performer-applications/ and get that dance comp application filled out today!
Original post written by Ahmar Wolf
The great and mighty Katherine Applegate (author of The One and Only Ivan — and many more furry books) returns with a new fantasy called Pocket Bear, illustrated by Charles Santoso. We’ll let the publisher explain: “Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his ‘becoming: The glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as ‘The Cat Burglar’, have seen it all, and then some. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket Bear reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.” Published last year, this new book is available in hardcover from MacMillan Publishers. (Happy New Year, y’all!)
image c. 2026 MacMillan Publishers
Original post written by rodney
Many furries have had a chance to see this major source of fandom by now, so this isn’t your usual review. Here’s how I made it extra memorable with a holiday trip that I can’t wait to do again.
First, get hyped and get refreshments
The lobby is where you can get yourself a treat, but that’s not where I got mine.
It started with getting hyped for a week of holiday plans on the east coast with 11 family, including 2 kids who were playing with their metal band. Of course I wouldn’t miss that show, but it was on the same day as my plan to hit the regional goth club. Luckily both things lined up. With eyeliner in place, I got to mosh, got Taco Bell, then got dropped at the club in a snowstorm to dance my shiny black pants off to Siouxsie and The Cure.
On the way out of the club, inquiries about anyone driving my way got a sweetheart offer for a ride. Local goths Sadie and Kat drove way out of their way in the snow at 3am, wouldn’t take my money, and even bestowed me with a Christmas present of magic mushrooms that I was wishing for.
Christmas tripping is seasonally-appropriate. There’s a theory that the lore of Santa Claus comes from psychedelic shamanism. They say his red, white and flight power represents the effects of the Amanita Muscaria mushroom. That’s more toxic than the kind you’d want to casually consume, so one of the safer shamanic methods is to let reindeer eat the mushrooms, filter only the good stuff through their pee, and then you drink it. Ethnomycology finds that up to 6 people can keep passing psychoactive piss through each other. This is why Santa’s reindeer fly, and if you stand underneath you get an incredible northern lights show. I know some adventurous reindeer furries (call me)… but let’s get back to the wholesome story of consuming recreational substances at a family movie.
This gorgeous Amanita Muscaria grew in my yard.
Fuel up and strap in
If you have fungal refreshments, eat them 30 minutes before the show.
The movie starts unevenly at first. It packs a lot of business in with a frenetic pace and some cheesy quality, like callbacks to the first movie that feel shoehorned in for repetition sake, maybe. Or maybe it a few too many puns and slapstick that was cute but less than necessary. The story sputters a little until it gets to calm moments, and then it really clicks and keeps getting better.
If you did partake, at this point, the onset of mushroom magic peaks with a scene where a character’s eyes sizzle with heat vision, unlocking a secret only they can see. Kaleidoscope eyes fill the screen and meet your own like tunnels to another universe. It feels like when the animal heroes dive down a rushing water tunnel. Focus on the screen, or you’ll be distracted to raise your own paws and watch the fur grow. Meanwhile, the voice work by Ke Huy Quan is highly affecting. This scene made me see and hear colors that blew my mind.
The world building is rich with many new places, characters and references. There’s a conspiratorial YouTuber who is silly and not evil, and a wealthy family patriarch animated like John Huston’s role in Chinatown (1974) for at least one scene. That’s strong material for a family film. Do you remember the ending party with Gazelle’s song in the first Zootopia? It happens again here at a “Burning Mammal” festival. That’s a real life furry connection that get so close to Disney fucking with us, I bet they had meetings about how to frame a shot where Gazelle is surrounded with bare chested tigers, until it tilts down to show that they’re wearing little shorts. Subtext-wise, I think the villains and their motives make this less copaganda and more pure mystery-solving with a message. The character chemistry is super satisfying and revelatory. Not only is it visually thrilling, it’s a Disney classic that I liked better than the first one.
Returning to earth
If you enjoyed the show like me, without telling 10 people who came along, the next challenge will be leaving the theater with a poker face while your eyes swirl like lava lamps and you’re on the verge of exploding with giggles. I had to walk in a straight line down a hall with Tron-like lighting and a funky patterned carpet that looked like I was falling in a candy bowl while being 3 inches tall because the hall went on for a mile.
Successfully leaving undetected wasn’t the end of it. A frosty night made the whole world a disco ball, and being driven through the woods with Christmas lights between the trees made a fireworks show.
You couldn’t pick a better, more colorful movie to enjoy this way. I want to do it again. If that sounds good to you, watching at home won’t be like that. Make the most of Zootopia 2 and catch it in a theater while you can.
Happy holidays and have a very furry new year.
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Original post written by Patch O’Furr
Happy New Year, adventurers! 
Thank you all for an unforgettable year that truly blew us away with surprises!
We hope you’re getting ready for your upcoming adventure to Furnavia 2026: Dice Of Fate (Oct 27–31), where new encounters and lifelong friends await.
: @GroovyKath
Original post written by Ahmar Wolf
The #EF30 team wishes you all a very happy New Year with lots of opportunities to celebrate!
Can’t wait for the Fantastic Furry Festival? Keep your eyes peeled on our social media channels – registration dates will be announced soon. 
August 19-23, 2026
CCH Hamburg
Art by @mona_thehoofeddragon
Original post written by Ahmar Wolf
