It may be a simple idea but why don't you run a costume contest?
Not only would it help people get involved with the theme it also gives the people who can't afford a fursuit or just don't like to suit some way they can contribute to the theme.
My suggestions for how it could be run are as following:
- You could have two categories, one fursuiter in costume and the other for non-suiters in costume with a separate top 3 of both categories for the winners.
- Have 3-4 judges to score them.
- Could be judged on more than just the costume for example matching props how they act and hold them self (is it like the character they are trying to be for example)
- From both categories have the judges each pick a favorite (doesn't have to be one of the top 3 its just the costume they liked the best, maybe have a prize awarded for that)
- Prize insensitive would create more interest but it wouldn't have to be anything huge its all fun and games at the end of the day
I don't have much else to add to the idea at the moment, but I would love to hear everyone's input on this if you think its a nice idea and what else could be done with it like I said my idea is basic as hell but it doesn't need to be much.