The Dragon Roars in Atlanta
By Miclpea
Dragon Con returns to Atlanta, from August 31 to September 4, 2023, to celebrate Labor Day in a uniquely geek fashion. Dragon Con is the South’s largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film. Dragon Con, unlike other pop culture conventions, hosts their panels, artists, convention-related events, and exhibitors at several hotels and the AmericasMart Buildings, rather than in a traditional convention center.
Dragon Con has another unique feature for its many panels: they are assigned to a track system that is divided by genre.
- Alternate & Historical Fiction
- American Sci-fi & Fantasy Media
- American Sci-Fi Classics
- Animation
- Anime/Manga
- Apocalypse Rising
- BritTrack
- Costuming
- Digital Media
- Diversity in Speculative Fiction & Literature Fandom
- Electronic Frontiers Forums
- Fantasy Literature
- Filk Singing (Filk is the music of fandom, by fans for fans)
- Film Track
- High Fantasy
- Horror Track
- Kids Track
- Military Sci-Fi Media
- Puppetry
- Robotics and Maker Fan Track
- Science
- Science Fiction Literature
- Silk Road: Asian Cinema & Culture
- Skeptics
- Space
- Star Wars Track
- Trek Track
- Urban Fantasy
- Video Gaming
- Writer’s Track
- X-Track (Studying the paranormal, with just a pinch of government conspiracy)
- Young Adult Literature
These various tracks are populated with a plethora of panels to fill them over the Labor Day Weekend. Some tracks would seem to overlap, such as Fantasy and Urban Fantasy. However, the distinction is made by where and when the series occurs. For example, The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher would fall under Urban Fantasy, not Fantasy or High Fantasy since it mainly takes place in a current urban environment (Chicago). The television series Foundation would fall under American Sci-fi & Fantasy Media while the Foundation book series by Isaac Asimov would fall under Science Fiction Literature. The panels start at 8 a.m. and go past 11 p.m. on most days! 
Dragon Con has much more than an incredible number of exciting panels. There are events ranging from author signings to wrestling matches to Burlesque to a performance by the Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra and parties every night. Of course, there are celebrity guests such as Sean Astin, Paul Bettany, Wilson Cruz, and many more. But fans of fantasy and science fiction can meet their favorite authors as well since Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Wesley Chu, and many other authors will be appearing at the convention.
There will be comic artists such as Jarrod Carl Alberich and Derek Yaniger as well as pop artists including Al Abbazia and Xiao Zengl.
For cosplayers, there is the one and only Dragon Con Parade on Saturday of the Labor Weekend. Con attendees and Atlanta residents turn out in droves to see the fantastic cosplayers march in this annual parade. The cosplay is fantastic and it is a truly remarkable geek event.
I plan to share in the fun by appearing on three panels at Dragon Con.
- Fri 8:30 PM Marriott M302-303 – The Expanse: As Long as We’re Living and Breathing
- Sat 11:30 AM Marriott M302-303 – Secret Invasion: Hidden Among Us
- Sat 10:00 PM Marriott M301 -The Boys: Homelander vs. Billy Butcher
Dragon Con is a pop culture convention run by the fans for the fans. I hope to see you there.
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