Dragon Con Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Dragon Con

Status	Active
Genre	Multi-genre
Venue	Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton and Towers, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart
Location(s)	Atlanta, Georgia
Coordinates	33°45′41″N 84°23′15″W / 33.761397°N 84.387536°W / 33.761397; -84.387536
Country	United States
Inaugurated	1987
Attendance	80,000+ in 2017
Organized by	Rachel Reeves, David Cody Co-Chairmen
Filing status	For-profit

Dragon Con is a huge yearly event for fans of many different types of entertainment. It's like a big party for people who love science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and video games. This convention started in 1987 and happens every year in Atlanta, Georgia, during the Labor Day weekend.

By 2017, over 80,000 people attended Dragon Con. It features hundreds of special guests, like actors, writers, and artists. The event takes over five hotels in downtown Atlanta, offering thousands of hours of fun activities. It's run by a company with the help of about 1,500 amazing volunteers.

History of Dragon Con
What Happens at Dragon Con
Impact of Dragon Con
Images for kids
See also

History of Dragon Con

A cosplayer dressed as a Spartan from the movie 300 at the 2007 Dragon Con parade.

Dragon Con began in 1987. It was started by a group of local science fiction and gaming fans called the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR). The name "Dragon" came from a special computer used by one of the founders. This computer hosted an early online message board called "The Dragon."

The very first Dragon Con took place in October 1987 at the Pierremont Plaza Hotel. About 1,400 fans came to this first event. Famous guests included writer Michael Moorcock and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax. There were also live radio plays and music performances.

The convention quickly grew bigger each year. By 1989, it had 2,400 fans. In 1990, the number of attendees doubled again. This year, Dragon Con also hosted a Comics Expo. In 1991, the first "Robot Battles" competition was added, making it one of the oldest robot fighting events in the world!

By 1995, over 14,000 fans were attending Dragon Con. The event kept growing, reaching 22,000 attendees in 2007. By 2017, more than 80,000 people were coming to the convention.

In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dragon Con was held online. Fans could watch guest interviews, panels, and music from home through special online streams.

What Happens at Dragon Con

Fun Activities and Panels

Dragon Con is a five-day event, starting the Thursday before Labor Day. It offers about 3,500 hours of different activities. These include talks, workshops, and demonstrations. There are over 30 special areas for fans to enjoy.

You can find programming about many topics. These include writing, art, anime, gaming, science fiction and fantasy books, comic books, and costuming. There are also sections for space science, online media, podcasting, and independent films. Fans can also enjoy discussions about specific shows like Star Trek and Star Wars.

Music and Movies

Music has always been a big part of Dragon Con. Many bands and artists have performed there over the years. These include groups like Blue Öyster Cult, The Crüxshadows, and Jefferson Starship.

The Dragon Con Independent Short Film Festival also takes place. It shows amazing short films that are often about fantasy or science fiction. Awards are given out for the best films in different categories.

Gaming Fun

Dragon Con is a great place for gamers! It hosts many different gaming sessions and tournaments. You can play board games, miniature games, and collectible card games. There are also console games and live action role-playing games. Many gaming companies set up tables where you can try new games.

Special Awards

Dragon Con gives out several awards. In 1998, they started the Julie Award, named after Julius Schwartz. This award honors people who have achieved great things in many different types of entertainment. Famous winners include Ray Bradbury, Alice Cooper, and Neil Gaiman.

In 2016, Dragon Con introduced the "Dragon Awards." These awards are special because fans get to vote for their favorite works in science fiction and fantasy. Anyone can nominate and vote for books, comics, games, and movies.

Other awards include the Futura Award and the Hank Reinhardt Award.

The Dragon Con Parade

Since 2002, Dragon Con has hosted a big parade through downtown Atlanta. Thousands of people dress up in amazing costumes and march from Centennial Olympic Park to the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. It's a very popular and colorful event that happens every year.

Impact of Dragon Con

Dragon Con is not just fun; it also helps the city of Atlanta. In 2015, the event brought in about $65 million for the local economy.

The convention also does a lot of good by raising money for charities. For example, in 2016, Dragon Con and its fans raised $104,000 for the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency. Between 2005 and 2012, the convention raised almost $224,000 for different charities.