Sci-fi fanatics invade downtown Atlanta
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An unidentified Dragon Con attendee, dressed as Batman, walks to his hotel in downtown in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
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Attendees sit outside a hotel at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
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A Dragon Con attendee, who gave his name as Navi, smokes from a hookah at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
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Adrienne Brynteson, left, and Nicole Willerson, both of Rome, Ga., dress as vampires, at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
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Presidential Candidate A. Zombie (RIGHT) Prom King and A. Zombie's human wife Patty Morgan-Zombie (LEFT) attend the 26th annual Dragon*Con Zombie Prom at Shearton Atlanta on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. --PHOTO: AFP
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A unidentified woman dressed in character pauses for onlookers at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
An unidentified Dragon Con attendee, dressed as Batman, walks to his hotel in downtown in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
Attendees sit outside a hotel at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
A Dragon Con attendee, who gave his name as Navi, smokes from a hookah at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
Adrienne Brynteson, left, and Nicole Willerson, both of Rome, Ga., dress as vampires, at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
Presidential Candidate A. Zombie (RIGHT) Prom King and A. Zombie's human wife Patty Morgan-Zombie (LEFT) attend the 26th annual Dragon*Con Zombie Prom at Shearton Atlanta on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. --PHOTO: AFP
A unidentified woman dressed in character pauses for onlookers at Dragon Con in Atlanta, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The annual science fiction and fantasy convention drew big crowds and had more than 30,000 pre-registered attendees. --PHOTO: AP
ATLANTA (AP) - Tens of thousands of science fiction and fantasy fans descended on downtown Atlanta over the weekend for the 26th annual Dragon Con, a surreal south-east 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 on 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 a spokesman for the event.
