Labor Day Weekend Means Dragoncon in Atlanta
The Largest Pop Culture Convention of its Kind is an Annual Event
Aug 18, 2009
According to their website, Dragon*Con is now "the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US."
Dragon*Con began in 1987 with just 1,400 attendees. With over 30,000 attendees in recent years, what began as a humble science fiction and fantasy gaming convention has grown into a phenomenon.
Every Labor Day weekend, from Friday afternoon until early evening on Labor Day itself, Convention-goers flood the streets, halls, ballrooms and rooms of the major hotels at Peachtree Center. The four hotels that host the convention are the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Atlanta, the Hilton in downtown Atlanta and the Sheraton Atlanta hotel.
Saturday at 10 AM – Watch the Parade!
Every Dragon*Con-goer who likes to dress up will appear in full regalia for the Annual Dragon*con Parade at 10 AM on Saturday morning. Take MARTA to the Peachtree Center Station, walk up to street level, find a spot to stand along Peachtree, and prepare to be entertained, astonished and impressed. Bring a camera.
The Storm Trooper 501st Legion from Star Wars will astound you, as well as the wookie, Jedis and Ewoks that follow! Superheroes from the Justice League will be represented, as well as characters from Anne McCaffrey's novels, Joss Whedon's television shows, and more.
Those in the parade spare no expense, and show incredible creativity in their costumes. It is worth the quick trip downtown to take photos with people dressed up like your favorite science fiction and fantasy characters.
Best of all, it's free to the public. If you're considering attending the convention, but not sure you'd enjoy it, this is a taste of what the rest of the weekend holds.
Should You Attend Dragon*Con?
If you've already seen the parade, and enjoyed the spectacle thus far, and are second-guessing whether you should pay the ticket price to attend Dragon*Con, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you like to read Science Fiction or Fantasy books or comic books, anime or manga?
- Would you like to see art related to any of the above?
- Would you like to meet writers, authors or artists involved in creating any of the above?
- Would you like to learn how to write or create any of the above?
- Do you like to watch television shows or movies like Star Trek, Dr. Who, Buffy, or Harry Potter?
- Would you like to meet the stars of any of those shows? (Click here for a current Guest list)
- Do you have a burning question you simply must ask your favorite actor / author / producer?
- Do you play video games, MMORPGs, or any other kind of game?
- Do you like to dress up in super-cool costumes?
- Would you like to learn how to make said super-cool costumes?
If you've answered yes to three or more of the above questions, the entrance fee is worth it. Order your tickets early, start practicing your elvish (or Klingon, if you prefer) and go get your geek on.
The best thing about Dragon*Con is the atmosphere of "to each his own". Everyone is into their own thing, and seeking out that rare group of people who are also into that unique thing. No one cares if you aren't dressed up, or if you are (though if you do dress, be prepared to stand in character in a lot of photographs). You'll feel just like one first-time Dragon*Con attendee said "I'm among my people! I never knew there were so many people like me!"
Once you've decided to go, check here for answers to Newbie FAQs about Dragon*Con.
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