DragonCon 2019 took over Downtown Altanta over the Labor Day weekend, Thursday, August 29-Monday, September 2. With so much to see and do throughout the five day celebration, there’s one thing you can’t miss, because perhaps the largest event of DragonCon is the annual parade. This free event attracts thousands of people who line the sidewalks along Peachtree Street to watch hundreds of cosplayers show off their hard work. Despite the Georgia heat felt on the last official weekend of summer, the parade has become the most attended parade in Atlanta.
This year, Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Warehouse 13, Firefly, Doctor Who) was named the Grand Marshall of the parade. Also in attendance were several authors, as well as Lou Ferrigno, well known for the his role as the Incredible Hulk.
Cosplays featured in the parade included characters from Supernatural with a replica of the 1967 Chevy Impala, Disney characters, Stormtroopers, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Men In Black, Pirates, Netherworld (a popular local haunted house known for its elaborate makeup and special effects), Resident Evil, and Marvel superheroes — including the Colorado Captain, famous for his Captain America cosplay and charity work.
This parade offers a taste of DragonCon without having to attend the actual event and people drive from all over to watch these incredible cosplayers make their way down one of the most iconic streets in Atlanta. Many spectators are then inspired to buy a day pass to see more of the convention, while others will simply head home. In any case, this parade is a must see event of DragonCon each year.
DragonCon is Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming convention. A record 85,000 people attended the five day celebration this year. Dragon Con 2020 will return to downtown Atlanta for the five day Labor Day weekend, September 3 to September 7, 2020. Tickets are already available at DragonCon.org.