Even though the route for the 12th Annual Dragon Con Parade changed this year due to Atlanta streetcar line construction, the crowds were as thick as usual Saturday morning at 10AM.
This year’s route began on West Peachtree Place near West Peachtree Street, behind Hyatt Place, then went north on Spring Street, turned east onto Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, and continued south on Peachtree Street. The parade proceeded east on Andrew Young International Boulevard and finally turned north onto Peachtree Center Avenue, where it ended in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
Batman, Spiderman, the X-Men, and many other superheroes enjoyed strolling through the adoring crowds, and the Captain America group was preceded by USO-style ladies singing patriotic songs.
Parade watchers spotted several celebrities, such as Billy Dee Williams, and many of the workshop tracks participated in the Parade, including the Armory track, which showed up with military vehicles and soldiers sporting various weaponry. Speaking of weaponry and soldiers, the USA Knights Armored Combat League staged mock battles periodically along the route.
The human Tetris pieces and the Box Heroes were both popular, as was the Netherworld Haunted House contingent, who brought along zombies, monsters, and large animated floats. The Bloodmobile traveled with its hordes of sign-wielding vampires, encouraging everyone to donate during the show.
