Dragoncon Parade is this Saturday 10 am - this is a don't miss event for Children of All Ages!

 

For many years I have escorted my sons and their friends downtown on Marta to watch the Dragon*Con Parade. If you are not aware of Dragon*Con it is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US.   In the past, 65,000 people were expected to attend - this year I have no clue but it will be big.

Here is a link to some video I shot of the parade back in 2009 which will only give you a small taste of what we have experienced. Trust me that this is quite an experience and my kids would enjoy it every year.

Saturday, September 3rd @ 10 am

Peachtree Rd downtown
directly above the Peachtree Center Marta Station

The AJC wrote a nice generic article giving tips on how to attend, but as a parade regular I am about to share my closely held secret location and directions of attending the Dragoncon Parade in style...

Take Marta to Peachtree Center, exit at the south side of the station (towards the back of the train) and then once through the fare gates head to the right towards escalators heading towards the Peachtree Center Food Court.  At this point you can go directly up to Peachtree Rd and it will be mobbed with people (whereby if you get good seats you'll have a good time) - if this is your plan, get there early.  Instead of fighting the crowds, I follow a different path to a parade location I consider a hidden gem. Let me share.

Once you come up the escalators from Marta, don't go to the street level, instead walk into and though the food court walking past Farmers Basket, Caribou Coffee and then finally straight past Aviva by Kameel.    Note there are public bathrooms across from Aviva on your right and then there is a set of steps past Aviva to the left that will take you down to the corner of Peachtree Center and Harris (now called John Portman).

Once you have made it down to Peachtree Center street, I recommend turning right and setting up your chairs in the driveway to the building and under the walkway overhead as the driveway will be closed once the parade starts and the walkway provides a little cover if it is sunny or drizzling.  This location is the end of the parade route and the first walkers should be showing up about 10:30 but I recommend getting there by 9:30 or 10 at the latest to set up your chairs as the crowds on Peachtree Road will be heavy and they may spill over to this hidden location a half block away.

This location has easy access to both public bathrooms and decent coffee!  After the parade, the food court will be packed and the kids may be hungry therefore instead of Chick-fil-A; I highly recommend the chicken fingers at Farmers Basket (near Marta entrance) and top it off with a little mac & cheese as both are little kids favorites.  The line there will be almost non-existent compared to Chick-fil-A and your kids will be eating 3 minutes later.  As far as a place to have the kids eat, take your food upstairs and outside near CVS as there are tables there reserved for outdoor dining of the restaurants below. After a quick meal, back on the train as I believe there may be some football to watch.

Honestly this is a fun family excursion, especially for the kids but even my wife enjoyed it.

I highly recommend this event, it an Atlanta right of passage for every little kid to see their favorite super hero up close and personal.