It’s 1987, and you’re someone who loves gaming, literature and comics. Separate conventions for these activities pop up all over the United States under different dates and prices — what a hassle! Luckily for you, a group with the same dilemma is working on a solution. With only $1,200 and a dream, the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players invent what will become Atlanta’s biggest convention: Dragon Con.
Dragon Con is a revolutionary part of the city’s arts and entertainment culture because it was the first convention to include all forms of media in an annual event on Labor Day weekend. Meet your favorite creators, browse the vendors and dine on amazing food in the heart of downtown. There’s an endless list of events to enjoy, so what are the best ways to spend your time?
Get there early
If you think you’re looking forward to something at the con, guess what? So is everybody else. The first thing you need to do is pick up your big shiny pass at the ticket hall on Thursday, the first day (it even comes with a lanyard). Stay hydrated and prepare to stand for a couple of hours unless you use a mobility device. September still reaches 90-degree temperatures. The pick-up staff is efficient in keeping the lines moving, but there’s only so much they can do with streets full of attendees.
Being early doesn’t only apply to tickets. Get to your favorite panels or meet-and-greets at least thirty minutes early, especially if there’s a famous guest in attendance. Download the “Dragon Con App” to save the schedules and locations of whatever you want to experience. You won’t want to miss a thing!
Cosplay
If you’re going to spend five days at the nerdiest festival of the year, you might as well do it in style. Cosplay is the act of dressing up as a fictional character for fun or paid performances. Professional cosplayers make it a career by creating elaborate costumes and props that match or interpret their characters. Many of them even learn to cut wigs, weld weapons, sew and paint to bring their vision to life. If you don’t want to go that hard, don’t worry — cosplay is for anyone of any skill level.
Browse the vendors
Ready to see the coolest artisan crafts on the East Coast? Head over to the vendor’s hall in the AmericasMart building for four floors of amazing fandom merchandise. Wyrmwood’s polished wood carvings and sparkling resin dice are a treat for tabletop gamers. Live your fairycore dreams with The Fairy Stitch Factory’s enchanting jewelry and wings. Support your favorite comic artists by purchasing their incredible illustrations in Dragon Con’s “Artist Alley.” In 2022, the con featured the sequential art legends Mark Bagley (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Bob Hall (“West Coast Avengers”), Bill Golliher (“Archie”) and Tana Ford (“Silk”). Imagine an art museum where you can actually buy the work and meet the creators!
Find your track
Dragon Con may be the all-in-one package, but you can follow your interests by staying on a “track.” Understand the complexities of vampire cinema on the horror track or join the kids track to meet the voice behind your favorite anime boys, Bryce Papenbrook. Attending a panel is a great way to learn something new about the topics that interest you. Scientists, game developers and authors like Nnedi Okorafor teach fans what goes into pop culture’s top pieces of media.
Party the day and night away
The makeup is smudged and the cosplays are barely holding it together at the end of the day, but Dragon Con doesn’t stop at sundown. Live music hypes the crowd on the hotel dance floor. Sleepy fans change into their pajamas for movies and cereal. Brave souls gather for some heartfelt karaoke — where else will you see a “Geralt of Rivia” cosplayer bring an audience to tears with his vocals? If you’re under eighteen or an early riser, you can watch Dragon Con take over the city streets with a parade. Stay safe and have fun. Atlantans know how to party!
