DragonCon General Parade Information
The parade is a fun DragonCon tradition that requires a little more planning and a little more commitment than your average event, meetup, or photoshoot that takes place over the Labor Day weekend. From how to join to what to expect participating in the parade, everything and anything you need to know about the parade can be found in this blog post.
GENERAL INFO
What is the DragonCon Parade?
Ask any Atlantan about DragonCon and their first response is likely to be about the parade. The spectacle of thousands of cosplayers, young and old, dressed as their favorite pop culture characters marching down Peachtree Street is simply too much to resist. With an estimated attendance of some 75,000 people, the annual DragonCon parade is the city’s best attended parade.
The DragonCon Parade first marched down the streets of Peachtree in 2001 and has since been going. 2021 marked the parade it’s 20th year.
***Parade starts at 12:45 in the video below***
How long is the Parade?
The Parade is from 10am - 12pm Saturday morning and is a little over a mile long. (The parade tends to end earlier at around 11-11:30am depending on how fast the parade moves.)
Who can Participate in the Parade?
Anyone and everyone as long as you have the following 3 items: 1) a DragonCon badge good for Saturday 2) a costume 3) a parade wristband. (This will be given to you during DragonCon.)
Though the Parade is for those in costume, many times groups have a few out of costume helping the cosplayers. For the Overwatch group specifically, here is who all we would like to have participate:
Cosplayers - The stars of the Parade
Photographers - Those interested in photographing the group during the Parade
Handlers - Those who want to lend a hand carrying signs, props, food, or water (or helping a cosplayer)
Why is the Parade so big?
Anyone can come and watch the parade even if they don’t have a DragonCon badge. Many make it a tradition to take their families to Atlanta to see the costumes especially those with small children.
Only those with a DragonCon badge good for Saturday may sign up to participate in the parade.
Is the Parade Broadcasted Live?
It is! Back in 2015 the DragonCon Parade was broadcasted live on Atlanta’s CW69 and ever since has always been broadcasted live. This means if you miss the parade, you can watch it later online.
Will the Parade be canceled due to rain?
Nope! The Parade goes on rain or shine.
SIGNUPS AND PARTICIPATION
How to Sign Up
There’s a few ways to sign up but all require you to go through the DragonCon Parade’s official sign up form. If you are solo or have a small group of cosplayers that would like to participate, head over to the DragonCon website and where you’ll find all links necessary to sign up for the parade: https://www.dragoncon.org/things-to-do/parade/
If you are part of a larger group that is established and always participates in the parade, then to sign up you would need to get in contact with that individual. For example: the Overwatch, Borderlands, and Dragon Age groups usually has one person sign up for the whole entire group who then assigns wristbands/slots to the cosplayers. They would be responsible for you and your main point of contact.
Why do I need to Sign Up?
Unlike other events at DragonCon, the Parade is a commitment. Due to the parade having a limited number of spots available, those who sign up for the parade are expected to participate.
By signing up, you are committing to marching in the parade and are expected to show up on Parade day ready to go.
The signup sheet will require you to provide contact information so the group coordinator can remain in contact with you regarding the Parade and your participation.
Wristbands
You may have heard of this elusive item if you have attended DragonCon before or have seen talk of them online.
Slots in the Parade are physically represented by wristbands that can be picked up at the con by the individual who registered. (For groups whoever registered the group picks up the wristbands to distribute.) Wristbands are highly valued and is your ticket to participating in the parade.
Those who show up to the parade staging area without a wristband can not participate.
Dropping Out of the Parade
If you’ve read the section before this one regarding the wristbands, then you may now understand the importance of commitment as wristbands are limited and those who wish to participate are endless.
Life happens and plans change closer to con especially when the schedule is released. You can always drop out of the parade by either contacting your group lead or the DragonCon Parade coordinators themselves via email.
DragonCon and those who are on the waitlist will thank you!
Waitlist
Once all slots have been filled, there will be a waitlist for those who did not make it into the initial sign ups. Those one the waitlist will be added to the parade participants as slots become available.
WRISTBAND DISTRIBUTION
How to Pick Up Your Required Wristband Prior to Saturday
If you signed up solo or with a small group of cosplayers then you will need to pickup your wristbands from the Parade registration table located in the Sheraton. Wristbands can be picked up Thursday and Friday at their table.
If you are part of a larger cosplay group where you have one person in charge of everyone, then you’ll need to coordinate and pick up your wristband from that individual since they are responsible for you.
DAY OF INFO AND TRAVELING
Items Required to Participate in the Parade
You will need the following items on the day of the parade in order to participate
You must have a DragonCon badge good for Saturday.
You must have a parade wristband.
(Wristbands are available for pickup in the Sheraton at the Parade Registration table or from your group coordinator.)
These items will be checked by security before you are allowed to march in the parade.
What is Parade Staging?
The Parade Staging area is the area at the beginning of the Parade route where Parade participants are asked to gather to prepare to march down Peachtree Street.
Staging begins at 7AM and concludes at 9:30AM.
How do I get to the Parade Staging?
STAGING LOCATION: North Avenue Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Peachtree Street NE and North Avenue.
The address is: 607 Peachtree Street NE.
DragonCon has a special shuttle service that loops to Staging and picks up every 15 minutes at the Marriott Marquis (Courtland Street side) starting at 7:00 AM and continues until the last shuttle departs at 9:30 AM. (Map of shuttle is below and represented by the solid red line.)
It is also possible to walk to the Parade Staging. It is about 8 blocks North of the Hyatt Regency front door.
Staging on Parade Morning (DragonCon Official INFO from 2017)
STAGING LOCATION:
North Avenue Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Peachtree Street NE and North Avenue.
The address is: 607 Peachtree Street NE.
This location is approximately 8 blocks North of the Hyatt Regency’s front door. The North Avenue MARTA station within 1.5 blocks of the church.
We have arranged a special shuttle service loop to Staging. Pick up every 15 minutes at the Marriott Marquis (Courtland Street side) starting at 7:00 AM and continuing until the last shuttle departs at 9:30 AM.
** DO NOT BOARD ANY SHUTTLE LEAVING THE MARRIOTT AFTER THE 9:30 AM PICK UP. YOU WILL NOT ARRIVE AT STAGING ON TIME AND RISK LOSING YOUR PLACE IN THE PARADE. **
TIME: Staging (line-up) 7:30 AM until 9:30 AM
LATE ARRIVERS and SOLO TRAVELERS:
If you arrive late, miss the shuttles, or plan to travel solo, it will be up to you to arrive on time to the parade staging area whether that is by bus or walking. The parade begins to move at 10am and is advised to be at the staging area in your designated group by 9:30am.
Parade staging is at the following location:
[North Avenue Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Peachtree Street NE and North Avenue.
The address is: 607 Peachtree Street NE.]
To enter the staging area, have your wristband and DragonCon badge ready to show security. Full weekend passes or Saturday only passes will get you in.
** You must have a DragonCon badge good for Saturday in order to participate. Membership postcards and an ID will not be accepted this year as a DragonCon badge. **
Facilities and Amenities
Porta-potties are located to the left of the participant entrance from Peachtree Street for those who need them.
The Boy Scouts will be providing bottled water in the staging area and at the end of the parade route. Please take only ONE bottle of water to ensure all parade participants can have some water. If possible, bring your own or have a supply waiting for you at the end of the parade.
DRAGONCON OFFICIAL PARADE GUIDELINES & POLICIES
These are DragonCon’s Official Parade Guidelines, not mine.
You MUST be a member of Dragon Con to participate in the parade. Convention badges must be worn and visible on parade morning along with parade participant wristbands.
Advertising and/or promotion of any type of commercial entities is strictly prohibited in the parade unless approved by DragonCon Senior Management prior to the parade. A sponsorship agreement must be in place. This prohibition extends to any “street teams” that might be working the parade spectators. Banners and flags are welcomed in the parade as long as they do not contain advertising or promotional information such as commercial company logos, web sites, addresses, phone numbers, etc. This includes information regarding other fan conventions as well. Fan organizations/groups, clubs, DC programming tracks, etc. are encouraged to carry to their banners.
The DragonCon Parade is a politics-free zone and not the appropriate venue for political actions or activities that impact our everyday lives outside of Dragon Con.
Non-working or prop weapons (as part of your costume) are OK. Any weapon carried at Dragon Con, including in the parade, must be approved and peace bonded by Dragon Con Security. Please take care of this BEFORE Parade morning to avoid potential confiscation of questionable items. The Atlanta PD and Dragon Con Security escort the parade and may make swift response to any action they deem inappropriate or threatening to the public. Think about how you brandish your weapon.
No flash pots, explosive devices, fireworks, loaded devices of any kind, or use of open flames. Absolutely not allowed, period.
Photography and videography by participants is always welcome as long as the progress of the parade is not hindered while you take your shots. Participant use of DRONES for filming the parade is prohibited for your and the spectators' safety.
Small throws/tosses (candy, beads, coins for instance) are permitted as long as do not cause street litter and are placed directly into the hands of the recipients. No random tossing, flinging or otherwise launching into the crowd.
Fliers/flyer, coupons and/or leaflets, business cards, etc. distribution is NOT permitted under any circumstances. This prohibition extends to any “street teams” that might be working the parade spectators.
We are rated PG/PG-13. Remember the parade is held on city streets - public safety and decency laws will apply. Watching the parade is open to the public, small children and other impressionable beings will be along the route. Additionally street/everyday clothing, unless it's identifiable with a character, isn't appropriate for the parade. We are a costumed event. Please choose your costume wisely.
Children 12 years of age and under participating in the parade MUST be accompanied by an adult. We prefer that anyone under the age of 16 be escorted.
1At this time, live animals are prohibited from the parade with the exception of service animals and selected Dragon Con sponsors.
Use common sense and show courtesy for all involved with the parade.
Show up on time and be patient during staging/line-up. Be ready to move into place when your parade section is called on deck.
Prepare yourself for the weather (bring water, don’t forget sunscreen, etc.).
If you have a question about whether or not something will be allowed - ask beforehand!! Contact us at dc_parade@dragoncon.org.
Have fun! Have fun! Have Fun!
We reserve the right to remove any person(s), vehicle(s), or prop(s) (including banners, flags or signs, and weapons) from the parade that is considered offensive, potentially dangerous or otherwise inappropriate, or that do not comply with the above stated guidelines for the event , at any time and without prior warning.