My Adventures at DragonCon
The last time I was at DragonCon was 20 year ago when I was much younger and slimmer and DragonCon was called the Atlanta Fantasy Fair. Well, the AFF merged with another con to become DragonCon and it's now the biggest science-fiction/fantasy convention in the world, with over 45,000 attendees this year.
Want to talk about fun, wild, and wacky? DragonCon is it! It's got a little something for everyone who loves sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror books, comics, TV, or film.
I attended as an exhibitor and a guest speaker in the Writer's Tracks for paranormal/fantasy romance. And while the show was an incredible opportunity for me to meet current readers and those who haven't yet discovered the Fading Lands, one of the other truly delightful aspects of the con was the wonderful costumes of the attendees.
I've got pictures galore (unfortunately, I'm having a love-hate relationship with my blackberry camera now, because i can't stop from moving the camera when I push the button, and half my wonderful pix came out fuzzy and blurred - wah!). I've got more pix on a kodak camera, but I need to get those developed so I can share.
But here are a few of the fabulous costumes at the show:
Here "The Littlest Stormtrooper" meets Boba Fett. This child, who couldn't have been more than three, was adorable and quite the ham. Everywhere he went, the camera's came out and he posed like a pro. Here, I was waiting for the elevator at the Hyatt Regency, and cutie-pie saw Boba Fett standing there. He put his storm trooper helmet on, gripped his laser rifle in attack position, and pushed his way through the adult kneecaps to challenge Boba to a shootout. Too cute!
A group of adults who loved the delightful fantasy romance movie, Enchanted, got together to dress up as all the main characters (and the biker who got struck in the helmet by the flying poison apple). They had Giselle in her wedding gown, Prince Edward, the hero's girlfriend in her Kings and Queens ballgown, the Evil Queen, and the Evil Queen's henchman. Also (not shown) they had another lady dressed up as Giselle in her teal-colored curtain dress. Their costumes were exquisite and everyone totally looked the part.
These folks came costumed as the cast of the Narnia movies. The snow queen was in particular brilliantly done.
These ladies were fabulous as characters from classic Disney. The Queen of Hearts, Alice, and one of the Queen's handmaids from Alice and Wonderland, plus a beautiful Cinderella. I don't know if they made or bought their costumes, but each of them was absolutely perfect in their role.
Not to be outdone on the Disney front, the evil fairy, Malificent, and a beautiful Sleeping Beauty also made an appearance on the con floor and posed together for all the madly flashing cameras.
Star Wars characters remained a strong presence at the con, and this beautiful girl dressed up as Princess Amidala / Padme in her "picnic" gown. She and her mother made the costume from scratch and hand-embroidered the bodice and drape. Iw as told this young woman went on to win one of the costume contests for this gorgeous gown. The picture doesn't do it justice - she was stunning.
Lest you think movies were the only influence in the costumes of the con, this woman garbed herself as a winged angel/gargoyle. I'm sorry my flash didn't work better, because this was an incredible costume. You could literally stand one foot away from this woman, and unless she moved, you really thought she was a statue carved from stone. Fabulous!
Last, but not least, I had a chance encouter with a DragonCon regular - Ik, the Troll - who kindly paused to pose with me for the camera. (Clearly the person who used my blackberry is much better at pressing the button without moving his hand!)
These were just the tiniest fraction of the amazing costumes on display all weekend at DragonCon. I know I will be back again next year as well many of my very favorite novelists, movie and TV stars, and artists. The con is always Labor Day weekend, always in Atlanta, and it is an event not to be missed. I hope you'll join me there next year!
Want to talk about fun, wild, and wacky? DragonCon is it! It's got a little something for everyone who loves sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror books, comics, TV, or film.
I attended as an exhibitor and a guest speaker in the Writer's Tracks for paranormal/fantasy romance. And while the show was an incredible opportunity for me to meet current readers and those who haven't yet discovered the Fading Lands, one of the other truly delightful aspects of the con was the wonderful costumes of the attendees.
I've got pictures galore (unfortunately, I'm having a love-hate relationship with my blackberry camera now, because i can't stop from moving the camera when I push the button, and half my wonderful pix came out fuzzy and blurred - wah!). I've got more pix on a kodak camera, but I need to get those developed so I can share.
But here are a few of the fabulous costumes at the show:
Here "The Littlest Stormtrooper" meets Boba Fett. This child, who couldn't have been more than three, was adorable and quite the ham. Everywhere he went, the camera's came out and he posed like a pro. Here, I was waiting for the elevator at the Hyatt Regency, and cutie-pie saw Boba Fett standing there. He put his storm trooper helmet on, gripped his laser rifle in attack position, and pushed his way through the adult kneecaps to challenge Boba to a shootout. Too cute!
A group of adults who loved the delightful fantasy romance movie, Enchanted, got together to dress up as all the main characters (and the biker who got struck in the helmet by the flying poison apple). They had Giselle in her wedding gown, Prince Edward, the hero's girlfriend in her Kings and Queens ballgown, the Evil Queen, and the Evil Queen's henchman. Also (not shown) they had another lady dressed up as Giselle in her teal-colored curtain dress. Their costumes were exquisite and everyone totally looked the part.
These folks came costumed as the cast of the Narnia movies. The snow queen was in particular brilliantly done.
These ladies were fabulous as characters from classic Disney. The Queen of Hearts, Alice, and one of the Queen's handmaids from Alice and Wonderland, plus a beautiful Cinderella. I don't know if they made or bought their costumes, but each of them was absolutely perfect in their role.
Not to be outdone on the Disney front, the evil fairy, Malificent, and a beautiful Sleeping Beauty also made an appearance on the con floor and posed together for all the madly flashing cameras.
Star Wars characters remained a strong presence at the con, and this beautiful girl dressed up as Princess Amidala / Padme in her "picnic" gown. She and her mother made the costume from scratch and hand-embroidered the bodice and drape. Iw as told this young woman went on to win one of the costume contests for this gorgeous gown. The picture doesn't do it justice - she was stunning.
Lest you think movies were the only influence in the costumes of the con, this woman garbed herself as a winged angel/gargoyle. I'm sorry my flash didn't work better, because this was an incredible costume. You could literally stand one foot away from this woman, and unless she moved, you really thought she was a statue carved from stone. Fabulous!
Last, but not least, I had a chance encouter with a DragonCon regular - Ik, the Troll - who kindly paused to pose with me for the camera. (Clearly the person who used my blackberry is much better at pressing the button without moving his hand!)These were just the tiniest fraction of the amazing costumes on display all weekend at DragonCon. I know I will be back again next year as well many of my very favorite novelists, movie and TV stars, and artists. The con is always Labor Day weekend, always in Atlanta, and it is an event not to be missed. I hope you'll join me there next year!
posted by C.L. Wilson at
8:35 AM
5 Comments:
Oh, that looked like so much fun. I had a couple of forum friends who were going and I was so envious. Looking at your pictures even makes me more envious! I really have to get some part time help so I can go to cool things like this too. I'm glad you had fun and I guess we can put on our calandars DragonCon---Labor Day weekend, Atlanta.
Terri
Terri,
It was amazing. There's nothing like it. Even if all you do is people-watch, there is never a dull moment.
I went to "work" the con (panels, exhibit hall, etc) so I didn't get to "do" the con, but just wandering the hotels to look at all the costumes was worth the trip. Terrific fun!
I love to people watch. Next Labor Day I'll have to be sure to be in Atlanta. Great pictures.
Hawk (Houston A.W. Knight)
Only 353 days left until DC 2009!
Although, I started my countdown to next Con as I was leaving the Sheraton on that Monday. I was too tired to make it to the Dead Dog party they have for staff, but I can't wait to be a part of it next year.
Looks like a blast! I hope that one day you will have the time to come to an event in Europe. We have a very big fantasy fair in the Netherlands each April. It would be great if you could attend one year. You have a lot of fans over here!
http://www.fantasyfair.nl/?langswitch_lang=en
Mieke
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