by Courtney Goodrum
Dragon Con 2024 has come and gone. This was my ninth year attending, and it was a bittersweet experience due to an unfortunate sickness that left me bedridden for a couple of days. My hotel of choice is the Courtland Grand, the former Sheraton, now lovingly called the Grand Corgi. It’s just a block away from the other main hotels and close to the sky bridge that leads to the food court and CVS for all essential needs. Though the hotel had some hiccups with its new ownership, this year went exceptionally smoothly for me and my crew.
Wednesday night, we kicked off the Con with dinner at one of the best restaurants, Trader Vic’s. There’s no better way to start the Con than enjoying a Mai Tai and relaxing with friends while buzzing with excitement for the week ahead. After dinner, we headed over to see the incredible setup of Bryan Humphrey: Mad Scientist with a Camera, which is always a highlight of my Con experience. Stopping by his booth to watch all the amazing costumes and see his magic on display has become a con staple for me.
Wednesday night, you have to meet all the Con veterans in the Marriott lobby for the Welcome Home shenanigans. Dancing to the enticing beats of the Dragon Con DJs makes the evening magical. On Thursday night, one of the best ways to officially kick off Con is with the Drunken Dragon Hotel Tiki Party on the patio of Trader Vic’s. The sidebar off the patio has the best drink values anywhere in the Con. The Kon Krawl always makes an appearance at the Tiki party, bringing big energy to the experience.
Every year, I try to check out a new party, panel, or event, and this year did not disappoint. My group decided to attend the 120 Minutes Party. As we entered, the loud music of my youth blasted: goth, new wave, industrial, and post-punk classics treated our ears. We danced all night, and this party will now be a permanent fixture in my con experience.
I spent Friday hopping from party to party, meeting various groups like the Dragon Con Over 40 group. It’s always a great time to chat and catch up with friends from cons past. On Friday evening, I went to the Concourse stage in the Hyatt and was treated to an acoustic rockabilly performance by the Kill Billies, a talented group from Florida. They put on such an incredible show that I became an immediate fan. I was fortunate to chat with them afterward, and they were so incredibly sweet and excited to be at Dragon Con. After their performance, the Concourse filled with anxious fans awaiting the show by Vision Video. I’ve become a fan of theirs through Dragon Con, and now they are one of my absolute favorites. Their goth, post-punk, and new wave beats had the whole crowd singing and dancing throughout the performance.
Unfortunately, I arrived at Dragon Con this year with a sinus infection, and by Saturday evening, I was miserable and bedridden, trying to recover. It lasted until Sunday evening, so I missed my favorite event of Dragon Con, the Roper Romp. This event features a sea of Helen Ropers in glorious caftans and red curly wigs, sprinkled with some Stanleys, as they romp from hotel to hotel in a hilarious conga line, drawing everyone’s attention. Last year, there were around 250 participants, and this year that number exceeded an amazing 400! I was so incredibly jealous to be too sick to attend, but next year, I will absolutely be there!
Monday is one of my favorite days of the Con. Everyone is exhausted, wandering through the hotels, saying their goodbyes, and soaking it all in until next year. My crew and I always enjoy a goodbye meal at the Metro. So long, Dragon Con! This is truly my second home, and it finds its way into conversations year-round in my world. I will always cherish every year and every moment spent at Dragon Con, and I can’t wait for the next one.
