My first official con report on my blog is not so much an honest-to-god report of my adventures, but really an essay on why Dragon*Con is my favorite convention, and why I highly recommend it. (I can tell you’re intrigued, so I will continue…)
Here are the top three reasons I love Dragon*Con:
1. It’s for people of all ages! Since 1998 I have mainly attended anime cons, and it’s just the truth that anime cons tend to have predominantly younger people in attendance. That in itself is fine, and I will always love anime cons, but at 25 I have moments where I start to feel… old.
The plus side to Dragon*Con is that it truly is all-ages- you can see anyone from pre-teen Naruto fans to grizzled 65-year-old bearded guys there. Any EVERYONE is great. With the average age being a little older you get more of a “I’m a professional with a good job” than “I’m still in school and living with my mom.” There are more adult themes and parties, and I know I can wear something skimpy if I want without any “internet OMG’s” from the Dragon*Con crowd post-con. Anime cons are generally rated ‘PG,’ while Dragon*Con is ‘G’ through ‘R’. An example of G would be the Disney photoshoot (unless you’re from the Black Cauldron, then your rated PG) it’s PG all day long, R at all the late night parties (and the “Dragon*con-After_Dark” costume contest).
This is how I feel sometimes at anime cons.
2 There is harmony between all “religions” and creeds. Have you ever witnessed the Stormtroopers showing up at an anime con? And the evil-eye exchange? I can’t say if the Stormtroopers deliver (they are wearing masks after all) but I do see it from the anime fans. Definitely a certain “you’re at the wrong con” feeling.
Dragon*Con is a wonderful cross-section of all nerddoms and it’s totally beautiful! From pop-culture to totally obscure you will find yourself at home amongst other fans of your ilk. I just thing there is something very pleasant about being able to submerge myself in all my nerdiness at once! J I can dress as Racheal from Blade Runner (and people know who I am!) while standing in line to see a star from Harry Potter, then stop off in the dealers room to buy a plushie of chathulu, and top it all off by seeing someone dressed as the Borg Queen. That’s a good day.
"C'mon people, now/smile on your brother,
ev'ry-body get together,
try to love one another right now"
3. There are many, many awesome costumes! You will be impressed non-stop with all the costumes at Dragon*Con. There are many beautiful costumes and so much diversity. It’s just one of those big cons that people bring their best work to! I don’t even need to say a lot about this, because the pics speak for themselves. So go out and look for them!
—————————————————-
I have only attended Dragon*Con for two years so I can’t give you “the tour” as thoroughly as someone who has been attending for years and years can. However, I will say that I am dedicated to trying to go back every year- barring a severe medical condition or homelessness, of course.
Homeless and still attending.
Dont get me wrong, I love my job and cant imagine doing anything else, but I also love the occasional bit free moment.