Every Labor Day weekend, downtown Atlanta transforms into a celebration of all things nerd and pop culture. And while Dragon Con is famous for its panels, parties, and cosplay love, the lore of Dragon Con is what makes it truly different than any other con.
Every year, it seems more and more inside jokes form, which leads to the creation of fan communities, or what congoers lovingly refer to as cults. But these cults aren’t sinister or secretive; most are born entirely from niche references or traditions seen at the con. In fact, Dragon Con even created a “Cults of Dragon Con” costume contest a few years ago to honor the chaos.
But one thing all the cults have in common is to make the con more fun, more interactive, and more weird – in the best way possible.
Here’s your guide to the most popular cults of Dragon Con:
The Cult of the Marriott Carpet
The Marriott Marquis is one of Dragon Con’s primary hotels, and for a while, its carpet was just…carpet. But after the hotel replaced the bold, geometric pattern with what congoers (and Dragon Con TV staff) jokingly say looks like a “printer test page,” it became the stuff of legend. Soon, attendees began cosplaying as the carpet – be it everything from ball gowns to stormtrooper armor – as part tribute, part protest, and part inside joke. The Marriott still honors it in their own way, this year offering a cake with the iconic pattern on top.
And while the Hilton recently debuted its own eye-catching blue carpet, the jury’s still out on whether it will ever inspire the same cult-like devotion – or if it will simply live forever in the Marriott’s shadow.
And here’s a secret about the carpet: a small part of it still exists! If you’re feeling nostalgic – and there’s not a long line at check-in! – You can nicely ask a front desk associate at the Marriott to show you the goods. It’s like spotting a cryptid in the wild!
FedEx Jon
FedEx Jon was never a person. FedEx Jon was a cardboard cutout advertising the Marriott’s FedEx services, sitting quietly in a skybridge hallway in 2019. But like most everything with an ounce of opportunity for a joke at Dragon Con, he soon became a cult icon. First, a fan stuck googly eyes on him. Then another added a lei. Soon, he had stickers, a mustache, speech bubbles, badge ribbons, and more leis. Fans started leaving sacrifices at the altar of Jon. But soon, Jon vanished, never to be seen again. However, his spirit lives on in congoers and cosplayers forever.
Trashy
Trashy is legendary amongst Dragon Con lore. It’s not just a trash can; it’s a landmark, photo op, and social gathering spot. Trashy was literally just a trash can in a convenient place that got removed (or perhaps stolen during a particularly rowdy party), and soon, fans mourned its loss. Now, attendees leave offerings where it once stood, snapping photos, and paying their respects to this gone-but-not-forgotten celebrity. The fact that Trashy is treated with such reverence sums up the magic of Dragon Con: it’s a place where anything, no matter how mundane, can become the stuff of legend.
What Could the Next Cult Be?
Every year, more and more inside jokes are added to the pantheon of Dragon Con lore. If history has taught us anything, any of these could become full-blown cults at any time. One recent, popular addition is the inflatable T. rexes. They’re big, they’re goofy, they’re impossible to ignore, and they’re growing in numbers. They’re especially popular at the opening party on Wednesday night, but they can also be found waddling throughout the con, dancing and occasionally photobombing a cosplay photoshoot in a hotel lobby. But will they ever dethrone the Holy Trinity? Probably not, but they’ve definitely earned a seat at the cult table.
What is your favorite Dragon Con cult?
