Deep in the Hilton Galleria where all the Dragon Conners play, you’ll find the enchanted panel room of our childhood days during “It’s Winnie the Pooh’s Birthday Too!” that was at 11:30AM Saturday in Hilton Galleria 5.
The panel intended for children actually drew a room full of kids at heart. Of the ~100 attendees, maybe 5 of them were the targeted demographic; despite this, the atmosphere created by panelists Beth and Angie Hartley was absolutely thriving in its nostalgia.
As attendees walked in, they were met with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh playing on the TV, a photo booth, games around the room and a craft area.
After the room filled up, attendees were welcomed to the front to pick and get started on a craft – a variety of Winnie the Pooh paper doll characters to be colored, cut, and bracketed together. Truly an activity straight out of grade school – 90’s babies at least know what I’m talking about.
About halfway through the panel, everyone dressed as Winnie the Pooh was asked to come to the front for a cosplay contest to win a Winnie the Pooh Munchlings. All four of the contestants looked amazing and by audience vote, Lauren Jacques won (NOT a humble-brag, this reporter is simply humbly reporting the facts).
B. Hartley then gave some background into the panel’s creation and gave a well-deserved shoutout to her daughter A. Hartley. Three years ago, A. Hartley wanted to create a panel for kids where they can get away from the intensity of con but still have a great time. She and her mother created the panel to spotlight a different franchise every year and create activities for kids to do based on it.
The panel continued on with attendees coloring, putting together their paper dolls and singing along with Tigger because “he’s the only one.”
Not mentioned in the panel but worthy of a mention for his impact: rest in peace Peter Cullen, who became the voice of Eeyore in 1988. Thinking about all of the people he’s touched across the many, many fandoms he voiced in, Winnie the Pooh himself said it best. “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Friends, in times that are seemingly in never-ending gloom, please always remember this quote said by Cullen’s character Eeyore: “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” Take a moment to sit back, do a simple activity to turn your brain off and enjoy the company of your friends.
This panel was truly filled with the kindness and contentment of spending a day in the Hundred Acre Wood (thankfully the Heffalumps didn’t try to steal anyone’s hunny) – there really could not have been a better break from the Georgia sun and the hustle-and-bustle of con. Even though this panel was meant for kids, I know one fully grown adult who can’t wait for next year’s! (It’s me – I’m the adult).
