Georgia Magazine - August 2024 - 21

pseudo 'staycation' for me, [and] because of that I just want to
have a good time.
" My first Dragon Con was in 2016, and I got hooked. I
moved to Atlanta the following year to pursue my career in
film, but I like to joke that I came down south to be closer to
Dragon Con. "
Attendees can choose from hundreds of sessions divided
by themed tracks. Fans can take part in Q&A's with their favorite
actors, learn how to build a droid, shop for original art or
collectibles, watch a costume masquerade, snap photos with
cosplayers or simply people-watch. This year's featured guests
include authors, comic illustrators and actors from movies
and TV shows such as " Roswell, " " Star Trek, " " Harry Potter, "
" Smallville " and " Doctor Who. "
Each year, the convention hosts a blood drive for LifeSouth,
which serves more than 25 hospitals in metro Atlanta and
125 hospitals across the Southeast. About 3,700 people donate
blood during the event. The convention also raises money for a
charitable cause each year; this year's beneficiary is the Georgia
chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.
MomoCon: a haven for anime and gaming fans, Atlanta.
momocon.com
Held annually in late May at the Georgia World Congress
Center (May 22-25, 2025), MomoCon focuses on Japanese anime,
gaming and American animation. Founded in 2005, it has
become one of the fastest-growing conventions in the Southeast.
This year, more than 55,000 people attended the convention,
which featured guest panels, autograph sessions, gaming
tournaments and cosplay contests. Participants can meet the
actors who voice their favorite animated characters and the
writers who create their favorite shows.
MomoCon is committed to creating an inclusive, familyfriendly
atmosphere for fans of all ages.
Charlie's Collectible Show: a mini convention every
weekend, Stone Mountain. charliescollectibleshow.com
Charlie's Collectible Show (CCS) in Stone Mountain is more
than just a store; it's a community hub where fandoms and
collectors come together every weekend.
In its first year, CCS has experienced tremendous growth
and community support. What started in August 2023 with six
vendors has expanded significantly to more than 30 permanent
vendors, largely because of the dedication of its core supporters.
" We keep breaking our attendance record. It's almost all
word-of-mouth, " owner Charles Hsu says.
In early July, the CCS Heroes vs. Villains comic con hosted
actor Jason Faunt, the Red Time Force Power Ranger, and WWE
Hall of Fame wrestler Ron Simmons (known as Faarooq) as well
as panels with comic artists and a cosplay showcase. Dragon
Ball Day on July 27 was a tribute to Japanese manga creator
Akira Toriyama and featured meet-and-greets with voice actors,
a cosplay contest, a trivia contest and themed food.
" I actually came here for opening day; they had a cosplay
contest. I have been doing cosplay with my daughter for years at
MomoCon and AWA [Anime Weekend Atlanta], " Jovie Balkum of
Stone Mountain says.
She is CCS's lead event organizer and manages the
concessions, where her 15-year-old daughter, Jayla Clory, also
now works.
CCS offers gaming and themed mini-con events nearly
every Saturday and Sunday and Wednesday nights, ensuring
that the excitement of a convention is
never more than a few days away.
MORE
Above: Fans of Wonder Woman gather for a photo shoot at Dragon
Con in 2022. Right: MomoCon 2024 attendees celebrate their
favorite characters.
www.georgiamagazine.org 21
COURTESY PATRICK SUN
COURTESY NA'KIA HAMMOCK / MAHOGANYWINGS.COM
http://www.charliescollectibleshow.com http://www.momocon.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org
Georgia Magazine - August 2024

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