Sci-fi fanatics invade downtown Atlanta

ATLANTA — Tens of thousands of science fiction and fantasy fans descended on downtown Atlanta over the weekend for the 26th annual Dragon Con, a surreal southeast gathering for all things futuristic, fantastical and just plain odd.

The 26th annual event hosts a range of comic-themed costume contests, paranormal training seminars and hands-on sessions for the manufacture of bygone-era armor. Late-night hotel lobby parties spilled into the wee hours Friday, when collections of anime-themed characters caroused with zombies and herculean robots.

This year’s convention had a record 30,000 pre-registered attendees, according to Dan Carroll, a spokesman for the event.