Dragon Con is a multi-media convention that started in 1987. This year’s event ran from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 and had over 72,000 people who attended. Dragon Con attendees represent a broad and diverse fandom base which covers multiple well-known Intellectual Properties (IPs), which include properties that cover both popular and lesser-known movies, video games and television shows.
The convention takes up several hotels and convention areas in Atlanta, Georgia, where the event is hosted. The AmericasMart building 2 vendor hall and Pop Art Alley took up one of the convention halls over all 4 floors. The first three levels are giant shopping malls for different vendors. These include artists selling original artwork, clothing representing animals, renaissance fairs, movies, and a plethora of mass media collectibles such as ‘Pop” figurines and “Loungefly” handbags, wallets and other accessories. The fourth floor of the vendor hall is for comic and book arts publishing and promoting. One of the hotels that hosted the convention had an artist alley where people can show off their original art in a gallery environment.
The biggest event at Dragon Con is the parade on Saturday; it is such a big event that it attracts viewers who are not attending the conventions. The parade, which involves around 3,000 cosplayers (people wearing costumes representing characters), takes about an hour. Some form groups and may include vehicles and props. This year, dedicated fans made a replica Sandcrawler driven by Jawas (“Star Wars”) that drove down the road.
A staple of the convention is that attendees can collect badge ribbons. These can be given out randomly by vendors, other attendees or when attending a panel or event. These ribbons are used to decorate convention access badges and lanyards. Some people will only get a couple of ribbons on their badge while others have ribbons that reach down over a floor or even longer.
One of the main reasons people attend Dragon Con is the celebrity guests. This year, these included actors such as Jodie Whittaker (the 13th Doctor, “Doctor Who”), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble, “Doctor Who”), Patrick Warburton (“Family Guy”, Disney’s “Emperor’s New Groove”), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom, “Harry Potter”), Bonnie Wrights (Ginny Weasley, “Harry Potter”), Jason Liebrecht, who voices many characters in popular Japanese animation (anime) like “My Hero Academia” and Neil Newborn, who does voice work for popular video games such as “Baldur’s Gate 3”.
As the event came to a close, fans are already looking forward to next year’s celebration of all things pop culture. With a large attendance number, many costumed guests and celebrity panels, Dragon Con 2024 reinforced its status as a premier event for geeks, gamers and creators alike. Whether a seasoned Dragon Con veteran or a first-time attendee, the magic and community spirit of the convention continues to bring fans together, ensuring that Dragon Con remains a highlight of fandoms all over for years to come.
