A new hotel and the steampunk theme were the most noticeable things about Califur this year. Held May 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, California, the fifth Califur convention attracted 587 registered attendees.^[1]

After con staff felt that they had outgrown the Holiday Inn, they arranged for Califur 4 to be held at the Hyatt Regency. Califur 4 did not come close to filling the event space in the hotel, as there was a wedding, a senior prom, and other events the same weekend.^[2][3][4]

Hotel staff put up a black curtain to separate Califur areas from space being used by the other events, which annoyed some Califur attendees.^[2][5][6] There were reports that non-Califur people, some possibly drunk, were disregarding the curtain and bothering Califur attendees.^[7][8]

Some attendees felt that the convention was unwelcome at the hotel,^[6][5][9] but most still admit that individual hotel staff were friendly or at least professionally polite.^[10][2]

The tabletop gaming, video theater, and electronic gaming rooms, while not 24 hours, were open all during convention hours and generally got good reviews. ^[3][11]

Some attendees were dissatisfied that some panels seemed to have no lead or none that showed up.^[9][12] The guests of honour this year were Keovi, Kitsumi and SteamFox, who each had their own panel.^[13]

The Ice Cream Social, which usually consisted of bowls of ice cream, was replaced with ice cream bars, which left some attendees dissatisfied.^[14][3]

The fursuit parade, which disappointed some seeing as it was mostly in the back areas of the hotel,^[15][6][16] nevertheless consisted of approximately 43^[17] fursuiters and was enjoyed by many attendees.

The pet auction raised around $600 for the convention charity with many 'pets',^[18] but some found it to be "creepy"^[15] or "just sad".^[19]

The cabaret raised around $1500 for the convention charity,^[18] and while it went a little long,^[3] had positive reviews.^[20][21]

The "Inventors' Feast" on Saturday was reported as being "very nice"^[6]

The con book, while smaller size than typical convention books, got positive reviews.^[22]

A subject of controversy among attendees was the filming for a documentary tentatively titled American Furry.^[23] While many were upset as they felt they had been filmed without consent,^[24][6] others were hopeful for positive exposure,^[25][21] and the filmmaker stated that those who had not given their consent could opt out of the final product.^[26]

Sources

1. ↑ Conversation with Califur co-chair Trapa
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Not Welcomed at this Hotel - norsedoggie,   califur (May 18, 2008)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Califur con report - Gamer Wolf (May 19, 2008)
4. ↑ Califur '08 recap - CatsbyMoo (May 19, 2008)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Califur 5 highlights - Leo Tiger (May 19, 2008)
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} Califur IV - Kaysho (May 19, 2008)
7. ↑ the bird weighs in - Likeshine,   califur (May 20, 2008)
8. ↑ Califur pros and cons - OggyWolf,   califur (May 19, 2008)
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} secondary post - karadurzero (20 May, 2008)
10. ↑ Califur and otherwise. Good, bad, sad, and really sad - Tarnac (May 19, 2008)
11. ↑ Califur Report & Update of the Week - Domafox (May 20, 2008)
12. ↑ Califur Report Day 1 - Kiteless Dragon (May 17, 2008)
13. ↑ Steampunk Califur - Guests of Honor
14. ↑ Califur Ice Cream Social? - YiffyFox,   califur (May 21, 2008)
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Half-Assed Califur Report - Sunookitsune (May 21, 2008)
16. ↑ Califur IV Report - Tabbicus (May 19, 2008)
17. ↑ Comment in fursuit numbers - Diadexxus,   califur
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} Charity Stuffs - BluJaguar,   califur (May 20, 2008)
19. ↑ Califur once again - norsedoggie (May 18, 2008)
20. ↑ califur part II - Leo Tiger (May 19, 2008)
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} my thoughts on Califur - rummyhunny,   califur (May 21, 2008)
22. ↑ Long time FurCon goer - My Thoughts on Things - Diadexxus,   califur (May 20, 2008)
23. ↑ American Furry: Life, Liberty, and the Fursuit of Happiness - BoingBoing (November 7, 2007)
24. ↑ Filming at Califur - QuietFire (May 21, 2008)
25. ↑ (RANT) Double Edge Sword.. doesn't matter you'll still get cut. - Johnny Blanco (May 22, 2008)
26. ↑ Filming at Califur- documentary - masinacat (May 21, 2008)