This can’t really come off as much a surprised at this point, but the annual science fiction, fantasy, and pop culture convention, Dragon Con, has been canceled due to the ongoing worldwide pandemic of COVID-19.
Scheduled for September 3rd – 7th, event organizers had been trying to figure out a way to still hold Dragon Con though downsizing and applying social distancing conventions but have ultimately deemed such measures as impossible and have instead to chose to simply cancel the on-site event.
This does not mean, however, that Dragon Con is totally canceled this year. Organizers are instead planning to take Dragon Con digital with an online stream that will be free for anyone to watch and take at least some small part in. This stream will include panels and original programming.
If you are curious to hear more about the streaming event they’ve promised to release more details over on their website. If you may have purchased a membership to attend Dragon Con this year you can also head there to submit a request to exchange your membership for a the 2021 convention or get a full refund.
You can checkout the press release below. Stay safe, everyone.
DRAGON CON CANCELS 2020 CONVENTION AMID PANDEMIC
In Its Place, Organizers Launch a Virtual Convention That Will Be Free to The Universe
ATLANTA – July 6, 2020 – For the first time in 34 years, Dragon Con, the internationally known science fiction, fantasy, and pop culture convention, will not be held, a decision made in response to the ongoing pandemic facing the United States and the world.
In its place, Dragon Con will hold a live-streamed convention free to the universe and featuring classic panels and original programming for 2020. Details will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Dragon Con will return in 2021 with an epic – and much deserved – five-day event from Thursday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 6.
This year’s convention, scheduled for Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, was originally projected to attract some 90,000 people to downtown Atlanta.
“After an exhaustive attempt to organize a much smaller, more focused, and socially distanced convention, it became apparent that we could not, in good faith, move forward with our 2020 event,” convention co-chair Rachel Reeves said. “We are heartbroken and did not make this decision lightly. Above all else, we want to thank our fans, our hotel partners, the ACVB, and the City of Atlanta for their support over these past few months.”
Fans who already purchased memberships for the 2020 convention will be able to exchange them for a 2021 membership or seek a refund. Both options are available at www.dragoncon.org.
The Dragon Awards, a fan’s choice awards program to recognize the very best in science fiction and fantasy literature, comics, gaming, and filmed entertainment, will continue as planned. To nominate a property and register for a 2020 ballot, please visit https://www.dragoncon.org/awards/.
About Dragon Con
Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (September 2 – September 6, 2021) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over five days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
