Blerdcon facts for kids

Blerdcon is a fun, three-day event held every July in Arlington, Virginia. It takes place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City hotel. The name "Blerdcon" comes from combining "black" and "nerd." It's a special place for "blerds," which means black people who love nerdy things like comics, games, and sci-fi. Blerdcon wants everyone to feel welcome and included.

What Happens at Blerdcon?

Blerdcon is packed with exciting activities for everyone. You can find many different things to do there.

Cosplay Contests

One of the most popular events is the cosplay contest. Cosplay is when people dress up as characters from movies, TV shows, comics, or video games. People work hard to create amazing costumes. They show off their creativity and skill.

Gaming Tournaments

If you love video games, Blerdcon has a 24-hour gaming room. You can join tournaments and compete against other players. It's a great chance to show off your gaming skills.

Panels and Workshops

Blerdcon also has many panels and workshops. Panels are discussions where experts talk about different topics. Workshops let you learn new skills, like how to make your own cosplay.

Vendors and More

You can also explore a large area with vendors. These are shops selling cool items like comics, art, and merchandise. There's even a maid café, which is a fun, themed restaurant.

The Story of Blerdcon

Blerdcon started because its founder, Hilton George, wanted a convention that was more diverse. He wanted a place where black nerds could feel truly at home.

How It Started

The idea for Blerdcon came after Hilton George went to another convention called MomoCon. He saw a need for a convention that focused on diversity. The first Blerdcon in 2017 was a big success. About 1,800 people attended, which was more than expected!

Recent Years

Blerdcon has been held every year since then. However, Blerdcon 2020 had to be canceled. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many events to be postponed or stopped.

Past Events and Guests

Here is a look at some of the past Blerdcon events: