If you're in Atlanta the weekend of Sept. 3-6, you may see characters such as Darth Vader or Frodo Baggins walking the streets. No, it isn't an early Halloween, it's just "Dragon*Con."
The event, which will celebrate its 24th anniversary this September, boasts itself to be "the largest multimedia/popular culture convention focusing on science-fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the universe."
More than 30,000 participants will descend on at least four hotels in downtown Atlanta that are sponsoring the event, event coordinators said.
The event offers several forms of entertainment for its patrons, and people come from all over the country to take part.
Included in this year's event is Robot Battles, the second oldest robotic combat competition in the world, scientific paranormal investigation workshop and a talent show.
Catherine Price, senior in French and history, will be making the trek to Atlanta for the festivities.
For Price, this will be her first time attending.
"My friend Coral went last year, and she talked me into going this year," Price said. "It sounded like a lot of fun, and I am really excited about going. There will be celebrities and other people from television and film there, so that will be really cool to see."
Price, an avid science-fiction fan, will be joining her fellow Dragon*Con-ers by dressing the part of her favorite characters.
"Firefly," a short-lived 2002 sci-fi television show created by director Joss Whedon about a renegade crew of futuristic space pilots, provided the inspiration for Price's costumes.
"I am going to dress as two characters from the show, one during the day and one at night," Price said.
During the day, she will go as Kaylee, the spaceship's fun and flirty mechanic, and at night she will don the apparel of the character River, a hyper-intelligent, but traumatized girl.
There will also be panel discussions involving various celebrities, along with film and television creators from high-profile shows.
Price said these panels are a major highlight of Dragon*Con, and she is looking forward to being an active part of the discussions.
"They are going to have discussions about the filming and writing of the show ("Stargate SG1"), so I will get the chance to ask some questions about the show that I have been curious about knowing," Price said.
But Dragon*Con covers an eclectic range of interests and is sure to offer something for everybody.
"I am really looking forward to the fantasy literature attractions that will be there," said Kathy Ziemann, 40-year-old Auburn alumna and current Opelika resident, who has attended Dragon*Con five times. "There have been some of my favorite authors there in the past, and I have been lucky enough to get an autograph from some of them."
Ziemann's husband, also an Auburn alumni, has been to 15 previous Dragon*Cons.
She said he has been to several other events like Dragon*Con and typically goes primarily for the gaming attractions and speakers.
"This is the biggest weekend for freaks, geeks and nerds," she said. "It is huge."
Jessica Klinger, freshman in psychology and Atlanta native, said just observing the people in attendance is great entertainment.
"I have never went, but I'm from Atlanta so I am pretty familiar with the event," Klinger said. "It is always cool to see the people walking around dressed up in costumes. They even have a parade."
Dragon*Con is a one-of-a-kind event.
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