Saturday, June 30th, 2018 @5PM
This will be my first Fursuit Walk in Seattle. The weather MAY not cooperate, but after being rained out twice I’m still going to give it a shot. Who’s with me! 😛
Parking
Absolute cheapest is street parking, if you can find a spot. From B->D there’s back in parking, and there’s lots of parking under the freeway. If you want more privacy, A.1 Watermark Garage ( 1108 Western Ave, Seattle, WA ) is $12 for 4 hours, $26 until 10PM. Between the two is A.2 Waterfront Place #2, which runs $10 for weekend evening rates.
Time
5PM! I’ll be protesting earlier in the day until 3PM, and will probably arrive a bit early. We should plan for at least 2 hours in-suit, potentially 3. Up to 4 hours total for suiting up, walking, interacting, returning, desuiting.
After suiting up, we’ll meet at B The Frankfurter stand, then start moving towards C Ferris Wheel for the main traffic & interactions. I’d like to make sure we head to D Aquarium for some neat water-fountain photos before heading back.
Once we’re wrapped up, I’ll make a reservation at Pier 55 R Red Robin for those that are interested in dinner and conversation. 😊
Setting
I have not gained clearance into any buildings. Pier 57 business interiors are off limits (security informed me their cameras run facial recognition that freaks out with masks). That’s the one with the ferris wheel. I’d love to eventually get permission for the carousel, but not today.
We’ll be in an urban setting, so be prepared. The ground’s mostly even, but there are some stairs here and there. Beware of kids with ice cream, etc.
I’ll have water bottles and backpacks and long-straws for anyone that’s willing to be a handler. But don’t count on a handler being present (bring your own handler if your suit needs one).
It may start sprinkling. We’ll try to keep to some awnings for a bit if it does, and if it continues we’ll have to call it. But you may get a bit damp.
We’ll probably have a spot to take off heads if we need to, around the Aquarium, but it should be cool enough we may not bother.
Human Participants
Have a spiel ready when someone asks what we are doing. “It’s just a group that loves to suit up in custom characters, be silly, and remind kids and adults alike to have fun.”
I’d like someone to have the Accuweather Minutecast app to give us a heads up… it’s been crazy accurate for me, and will tell us if it’s getting worse or clearing up shortly.
Handlers
Check in with the suit of your choice every 30 minutes or so to make sure they’re staying hydrated.
Be aware of small children in the blindspots of the fursuit (immediately in front, anywhere to the side or behind). Stop the child, or the fursuiter, to avoid kick-the-kid.
Tap the fursuiter on the shoulder if they need to pay attention (group has moved on, someone wants a photo op, etc.)
Fursuits can see large poles and walls, but unusually tall curbs/steps are our bane. Lend a hand here.
If you spot a kid with a chocolate ice cream cone racing up for a hug, feel free to step between and say something.
Fursuiters
Kids: Parents love to force them into our arms. Sometimes switching to a veeeery outstretched fistbump or high-five can be a lot less intimidating than being forced to hug a huge floofy creature. If they are shy and the parents are forcing them to give a hug, I find acting shy and mimicking them defuses things (hiding behind another furry and peeking out, etc.)
Stay hydrated.
Keep paws visible during photo-ops with humans.
Stay hydrated.
If a dog is getting protective/barking, avoid eye contact: They think you’re staring them down.
Stay hydrated!
SAFETY FIRST! If you don’t feel good, take off your head. I’m all about keeping the magic, but it’s not worth risking your life over. If you do take off your head, stay to the periphery.
—-
IMPORTANT: Your health and Safety are foremost. If for any reason you need help call out. DO NOT worry about breaking the magic, this is urban suiting and I’d rather try to block a child’s vision or even upset one as apposed to calling an ambulance. Seriously if you need to remove your head for any reason do so.
If you made it this far, ping me for the Telegram coordination group!