Dragon Con 2024

It was another insanely busy year at Dragon Con and I can't wait for next year! For 2024 I was invited back as a Professional Guest on the Digital Media, Film, and Diversity Tracks. I got to speak about my experience as a digital creator and my time working in the Chicago indie film industry from 2016 to 2019. After how hectic it was last year, I planned a little better for 2024 by driving up the night before. Keri joined me as usual for this adventure. This year I also decided to partake in the Loyal Order of the Ribbon and Dragon Con Swag n' Seek. Both my book roses and Kittrick Lyta from The Source Keepers ribbons (purple ones) became very popular and coveted items.

Going into the convention, I started my Thursday morning with my very first Loyal Order of the Ribbon meet-up event. I met tons of amazing people and traded over 30 ribbons during the event. I also wandered around leaving book roses and tiny resin blob fish all over the Hyatt and Hilton hotels. From there I headed to the Digital Media Track to kick off their panel scheduling. My first night was simply talking about being a digital creator and meeting others in the field. We even touched on my very complex relationship with my axolotl content that got my name on the map and opened so many doors for me.

Lucky for me, Friday and Saturday were my free days to explore and meet new people. Friday I debuted my improved monarch butterfly fae costume and ended up gifting most of my swag and trading ribbons in the vending hall. The smiles on the faces of artists and other authors was truly amazing to see. They LOVED my book roses so much. Oddly this was the costume I was recognized the most in. Maybe because I created it on TikTok with my followers helping me every step of the way? While this costume is beautiful, I realized within a few hours I wasn't quite ready for a day in a corset after my abdominal surgery in April. I ended up taking the corset off multiple times throughout Friday and Keri and I decided to call the day early.

Saturday I arrived later in the day to try some of the nightlife of Dragon Con. I must say, this con is totally different at night! Music and lights and dancing are boundless! I also debuted my Charlie Morningstar from Hazbin Hotel that day. The number of people who came to talk to Charlie and gifted me Hazbin ribbons and swag was truly amazing. I would simply be walking and feel a tap on a shoulder and a ribbon would appear from a stranger with a Hazbin or Helluva quote on it. I think this was one of my favorite cosplays I've done in a LONG time. It truly inspired me to get back into cosplay, something I haven't had a passion for since pre-pandemic/pre-viral axolotl times. Mainly because when I blew up online, people began making fun of my cosplays. This day though? This day made me want to come back in full swing.

Sunday was my very last day at Dragon Con. (Yes I know it goes through to Monday, but ya girl was tired and needed a day to bed rot before returning to work.) By this day, I was exhausted and so ready to go home. I had 3 more panels to do though. Keri and I arrived at the convention and headed straight to my first panel in the Hyatt. I then had another directly afterward. After that, Keri and I decided to just head to the Hilton and set up a little trading post downstairs.

We jokingly called it "Flick's Trading Post," which is the name of the little plush I carried around the entire convention. I was able to rehome several badge ribbons and roses during this hour and a half trading post and people loved that it was in a quiet area and they could take their time. I think next year we'll have a more legit-looking trading post for Swag n Seek, but for now this did fabulous. We were able to relax and still partake in the fun.

Overall, Dragon Con 2024 was another fun and exciting experience. I felt much for prepared this time around! Hopefully, I get invited back for 2025. Until then, I'll be dreaming of Dragon Con and looking for other conventions to tide me over.