MomoCon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MomoCon |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Gaming, Comics, and Anime |
| Venue | Georgia World Congress Center Omni Hotel Atlanta |
| Location(s) | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2005 |
| Most recent | 2019 |
| Attendance | over 39,000 in 2019 |
| Organized by | Momocon LLC |
| Filing status | For-Profit |
MomoCon is a super fun event held every year in Atlanta, Georgia. It usually happens in March or May. This big convention brings together fans of anime, video games, webcomics, comics, and more! You can also find LARP (Live Action Role-Playing), costuming (dressing up as characters), card games, and board games.
For many years, MomoCon took place at the Georgia Institute of Technology. It started small in 2005 at the Georgia Tech Student Center. Over time, it grew and moved to bigger places like the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and now the Georgia World Congress Center.
From 2005 to 2011, it was free to enter MomoCon! The event sold T-shirts and DVDs to help pay for the next year. But as it grew, they needed to start charging a small fee in 2012 to cover the costs.
Contents
What is MomoCon?
MomoCon is a huge celebration of all things pop culture. It's a place where you can meet people who love the same things you do!
Fun Activities at MomoCon
MomoCon offers tons of cool activities for everyone:
- Playing video games and joining tournaments
- Trying out new board games and card games
- Meeting famous voice actors and artists
- Watching anime screenings
- Taking part in costume contests (also known as cosplay!)
- Learning new skills in workshops, like how to make props or costumes
- Shopping for unique items from artists and vendors
The Story of MomoCon
The name "MomoCon" has a special meaning. "Momo" means "peaches" in Japanese. Since Georgia is known as the "Peach State," it was a perfect fit for the convention's name!
How MomoCon Started and Grew
Every year, MomoCon has a different theme. This theme influences how the convention looks and feels.
- 2005: The first year's theme was "Southern Hospitality." About 35 volunteers helped run the event. There were over 30 guests, including artists and special demo teams.
- 2006: The theme was "Tsukimi," which means "moon-viewing" in Japanese. They even had a "Tsukimi festival" with staff dressed in kimonos! A fun "Iron Chef" parody video kicked off the event.
- 2007: The staff theme was "The Family." They made the video game tournaments bigger and held a larger costume contest. Sadly, the convention had to close early on Sunday because of a security problem.
- 2008: Because the number 4 is sometimes seen as unlucky in Japanese culture, MomoCon 2008 (their 4th event) had a gothic horror theme. After the 2007 issue, they started requiring people to register and show an ID to enter. Kids under 16 needed an adult with them. It was still free, though!
- 2009: The theme was retro science fiction. They added more Japanese cultural events and even had their first band performance, The Extraordinary Contraptions, a Steampunk-themed rock band.
In 2020, MomoCon had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it came back in 2021 and continues to be a popular event!
MomoCon's Growth Over the Years
MomoCon has grown a lot since it started. Here's a quick look at how many people attended each year:
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 26–27, 2005 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons Atlanta, Georgia |
700 | Amy-Howard Wilson, Robert 'Vaderpainter' Bean, Nightmare Armor Studios, Gamesare, Terminus Media, Kittyhawk, Jennie Breeden |
| March 18–19, 2006 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons Atlanta, Georgia |
1,800 | John Lotshaw, R. Dustin Kramer, Jennie Breeden, Andy Runton, Sith Vixen, Brent Allison, Amy-Howard Wilson, Bill Holbrook |
| March 17–18, 2007 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons, Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile and Instructional Center Atlanta, Georgia |
2,600 | |
| March 15–16, 2008 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons, Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center Atlanta, Georgia |
4,840 | |
| March 14–15, 2009 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons, Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center Atlanta, Georgia |
7,200 | |
| March 20–21, 2010 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons, Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center Atlanta, Georgia |
7,800 | |
| March 12–13, 2011 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Technology Square (College of Management) Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center Atlanta Biltmore Hotel and Biltmore Apartments Atlanta, Georgia |
10,300 | |
| March 16–18, 2012 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis Atlanta, Georgia |
8,640 | Brent Allison, Atlanta Imaginarium, Gina Biggs, Martin Billany, Jennie Breeden, Gamesare, The Gekkos, Go, Robo! Go!, Catherine Jones, Kittyhawk, Harrison Krix, Laugh Out Loud, Wendee Lee, Ellen McLain, Sketch MacQuinor, Penny Dreadful Productions, Bill Winans |
| March 8–10, 2013 | Hilton Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
12,200 | Brent Allison, Manda Bear, Martin Billany, Steven Blum, Sean Patrick Fannon, Katie George, Jennifer Hale, Yaya Han, Eric Hokanson, Catherine Jones, Sifu Kisu, Eloy Lasanta, Riki "Riddle" LeCotey, Monika Lee, Sketch MacQuinor, Mark Meer, Lindze Merritt, Marianne Miller, Cara Ann Murray, Meredith Placko Mike Reiss, Zachary Rich, Mark Zoran. |
| May 23–25, 2014 | Hilton Atlanta and Marriott Marquis Atlanta, Georgia |
14,600+ | Brent Allison, Troy Baker, Dante Basco, Courtnee Draper, Katie George, Jess Harnell, Sifu Kisu, Harrison Krix, Maurice LaMarche, Cherami Leigh, Tress MacNeille, Bryce Papenbrook, Rob Paulsen, Leo "That Sci-Fi Guy" Thompson, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, Mark Zoran. |
| May 28–31, 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
22,600 | Brent Allison, Jon Bailey, Jennifer Barclay, Martin Billany, Ashly Burch, Chalk Twins, Keith David, Steve Downes, Crispin Freeman, Katie George, Charlene Ingram, Ke Jiang, Harrison Krix, Mega Ran, Lindze Merritt, Amanda C. Miller, Marianne Miller, Professor Shyguy, The Protomen, Doug Walker, Greg Weisman, Sarah Anne Williams |
| May 26–29, 2016 | Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
28,300 | Brent Allison, Irene Bedard, Martin Billany, Steven Blum, brentalfloss, Zach Callison, Chalk Twins,Mr. Creepy Pasta, Jim Cummings, Benjamin Diskin, Caleb Hyles, Catherine Jones, Harrison Krix, Riki "Riddle" LeCotey, Allyssa Lewis, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Erica Mendez, Matthew Mercer, Marianne Miller, Mandy "AmazonMandy" Moore, Yad-Ming Mui, Nolan North, Paige O'Hara, Laura Post, Cree Summer, The Runaway Guys, David Vincent, Doug Walker, Adam WarRock |
| May 25-28, 2017 | Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
31,132 | Brent Allison, Bit Brigade, Zach Callison, Charlet Chung, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Jonny Cruz, Michaela Dietz, Josh Grelle, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Taliesin Jaffe, Jerry Jewell, Catherine Jones, Harrison Krix, Maurice LaMarche, Brendan LaSalle, Allyssa Lewis, Matthew Mercer, A New World, Rob Paulsen, Marisha Ray, The Runaway Guys, Fred Tatasciore, J. Michael Tatum, Mark Zoran. |
| May 24-27, 2018 | Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
35,400 | Akidearest, The Anime Man, Troy Baker, Bit Brigade, brentalfloss, Kimberly Brooks, SungWon Cho, Richard Epcar, Crispin Freeman, Barbara Goodson, Haiden Hazard, Caleb Hyles, Catherine Jones, Christopher Jones, Josh Keaton, Harrison Krix, Monika Lee, Josh Martin, Carey Means, Misty/Chronexia, Nolan North, Octopimp, Chris Parson, Chris Rager, Arnie Roth, Chris Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Emily Schmidt, Justin Sevakis, SUDA51, The Triforce Quartet, Kari Wahlgren, Hiromi Wakabayashi and Elise Zhang. |
| May 23-26, 2019 | Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia |
> 39,000 | Adam Bryce Thomas, A7L PROPS, Adam Nusrallah, Adriana Figueroa, Amy Chu, April Borchelt, Ronald B. Seaman Jr. (Aracknoid3 Cosplay), Asheru, BeeNerdish, Benjamin Byron Davis, Bit Birgade, Brain ScratchComms, Brendan J. LaSalle, Brenden Fletcher, Caleb Hyles, Carolina Ravassa, Casey Renee Cosplay, Catherine Jones (GSTQ Fashions), Charles Martinet, Chris Miller, Cosplay Collective, CutiePieSensei, DAGames, Dan Salvato, Dave Silva, David and Alex Harmer, Deans Lyst, Dedren Snead, Deedee Magno Hall, dj-jo, Donny Cates, Estelle, Fabrice Sapolsky, Jules Conroy (FamilyJules), Dustin Fletcher (Flashfletch Cosplay), Gabi, Gaku Space, Gigguk, Go Big or Go Home Cosplay, Grant, Greg Burnham, Hiroaki Yura, Hoyt Silva, Jarman Props, Jim Mahfood, Jonah Levy, Jonny Cruz, JT Music, Justin Briner, Kamikaze, Keith Silverstein, Kenji Kamiyama, Kenny James, Kyle Starks, Laura Martin, Lee "Fev" Camara-Smith, Luci Christian, Maki Terashima-Furuta, Marcus Williams, Matt Silva, Matt Wilson, Mckenzie Atwood, Megan Hutchinson, Michaela Dietz, Mikal Mosley, Mike Salcedo, Monica Rial, Mr. CreepyPasta, Myuu: Dark Piano, OR30, Overworld Designs, Patrick Warburton, Pixelbash Props, Sungwon Cho, rabbidluigi, Rebel Taxi, Reuben Langdon, Rico Renzi, Robert Wilson, Roger Clark, Samantha Kelly, Shingo2, Shinji Aramaki, Spatcave Studios, Steve Blum, Substantial, Suda 51, Supergiant Games, Susan Egan, Sydsnap, Talynn Kel, The NPC Collective, The Runaway Guys, Jerod Collins (The8BitDrummer), Thrill Builds, Tim Effler, Tony Anselmo, Tony Weaver, Tracy Yardley, Vivienne M. (Vivziepop), Volpin Props, Zach Callison |
MomoCon Events Around Town
MomoCon also supports other local events that help people learn about Japanese culture and the convention. These "MomoCon on Tour" events happen throughout the year.
- Riki-Oh Night (2005): MomoCon helped with a film festival and a Super Smash Brothers Melee tournament at Georgia Tech.
- Photoshoots on Tour (2006-2017): MomoCon organized photoshoots for cosplayers in different cities. These included places like Savannah and Chattanooga.
- Gaming Festivals (2009-2010, 2012-2014): They hosted special gaming events with board games, card games, and retro video games.
- Cosplayers on Ice (2007-2016): Every December, cosplayers could go ice skating together at this fun event.
- Steampunk Photoshoot (2008): A special photoshoot for people dressed in Steampunk costumes was held at Georgia Tech.
- MomoCon Winter Ball (2008-2015): This was a semi-formal dance event with winter decorations and music from anime, video games, and classic pop.
- MomoCon Summer Charity Ball (2008-2010, 2012-2014): Another semi-formal dance, but all the money raised went to the Susan G. Komen organization for breast cancer awareness.
- Twilight Masquerade (2015) & The Crystal Ball (2017): These were fancy masquerade events held at the Georgia Aquarium.
Images for kids
-
Cosplayers at MomoCon's Cosplayers on Ice 2008
33°45′31″N 84°23′54″W / 33.758652°N 84.39841°W
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
MomoCon Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.