As they roam the convention grounds, Dragon Con attendees can’t help but notice colorful ribbons stacked onto others’ badges. These ribbons don’t come with admission but are gifted by fellow con-goers.

Loyal Order of the Ribbon, Dragon Con’s largest badge ribbon group, emerged at Dragon Con in 2017. Inspired by other groups that printed badge ribbons, founder Josh Thomas printed 1,500 Marriott Carpet ribbons. They were a smash hit, and the Loyal Order of the Ribbon has only continued to grow from there.  Now hundreds of thousands of ribbons are designed, printed, and distributed by attendees throughout the convention each year. On ribbons’ appeal, Thomas remarked, “I think part of it is we’re all magpies. Badge ribbons are fairly cheap, they’re easy to get, and you can quickly and easily display them.”

Initially ribbons were themed around Dragon Con groups or in-jokes. Over the years, the ribbon themes have come to encompass anything and everything. Fandom, positive sentiments, and personal identity are popular themes. Thomas appreciates the spread of ribbon culture. “It’s one of those things that you wouldn’t really think would just blow up like it does. It’s just one of those organic things that people just love,” he commented.