The pop culture bonanza known as Dragon Con is gearing up to take over downtown Atlanta from August 29 through September 2, bringing with it a stellar assembly of stars from the realms of film, TV, and comic books. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, attendees can eagerly anticipate appearances by industry giants such as John Cleese of comedic fame, 'Star Trek' veteran Walter Koenig, and the unmistakable Danny Trejo. They will be accompanied by a host of beloved figures including Giancarlo Esposito, 'Doctor Who' lead Jodie Whittaker, and several actors who've found fame in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Highlighting the panels and autograph sessions, guests will also get to interact with comic book legend Jim Steranko and puppeteer Karen Prell alongside her Fraggle Rock cohorts. Atlanta's Dragon Con parade, undeniably a highlight with its explosion of cosplay creativity, is aiming to commence at 10 a.m. on August 31, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The route will thread through the heart of the city and finish between John Portman Boulevard and Baker Street.
The convention also extends over three acres of gaming joy as professed by FOX 5 Atlanta, offering a playground for enthusiasts within the AmericasMart Building. This year's special nod to the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons promises to draw players old and new with panel discussions and appearances by influential figures in the gaming community.
In the spirit of charity, this year's event is partnered with the Georgia chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, with Dragon Con promising to match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $125,000 raised from auctions, sales, and various fundraising endeavors. Dragon Con's philanthropic efforts are a cornerstone of their community engagement, having contributed over $1.3 million to Atlanta-based charities over the past decade, FOX 5 Atlanta emphasized, acknowledging the convention's consistent charitable contribution in excess of $100,000 annually to its official partners.
Punctuating the convention's social responsibility, a massive convention-based blood drive will also take place, feeding into the LifeSouth network, which supports hospitals in the Atlanta area. The Robert A. Heinlein "Pay It Forward" blood drive previously collected more than 6,000 units of blood, a statistic likely to be surpassed given the dedication of the Dragon Con community.
