Downtown’s Woodruff Park Celebrates Dragon Con During August

ATLANTA — As downtown Atlanta prepares to welcome one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions, Woodruff Park has announced a series of events and activations to get locals in the Dragon Con spirit. On Saturday, August 17, the park will host its third annual Doggy Con event, a pet parade and costume contest that lovingly pays homage to Dragon Con by inviting dogs and their parents to dress up in their best cosplay outfits to compete for fabulous prizes, including one-day passes to the convention.

Doggy Con’s panel of judges includes local artist Karen Anderson of Tiny Doors ATL, as well as Punk Rock Milo, “dog in residence” at Downtown Atlanta’s Masquerade music venue. The event will be emceed by local media personality Mara Davis. After the costume contest and prize ceremony, attendees will be able to enjoy a vendor and nonprofit village of dog-centric goods and services, plus food trucks and a “yappy hour” hosted by Steady Hand Beer Co.

To register for the pet parade and costume contest ($10), and for complete Doggy Con details, visit Woodruff Park’s website. Thanks to presenting sponsor Georgia’s Own Credit Union’s “85 Acts of Kindness” initiative, the first 85 dogs to register will receive commemorative Doggy Con totes filled with dog treats and favors.

On Friday, August 30, Woodruff Park will partner with the Fulton and Clayton County Library Systems to host a Dragon Con Welcome Party on the lawn. From 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., the library systems will host free activities, including virtual reality gaming, Atari Flashback, Nintendo NES, drones, giant yard games, a photo booth, button making, drawing with 3D pens, a DJ, and a pop-up library. The party is free and open to the public.

Finally, Woodruff Park’s iconic International Peace Fountain, located on the north plaza adjacent to Auburn Avenue, will be dyed purple, the official Dragon Con brand color, from August 29-September 1. While in Downtown, visitors and locals are encouraged to use the fountain as a fun backdrop for impromptu costume photo shoots and selfies.

Woodruff Park is a 6-acre park in the geographic center of Atlanta. Located at the crossroads of commerce, government, and education, it is natural gathering space for a diverse cross-section of Atlantans and visitors. Originally known as Central City Park in 1970s, Woodruff Park was created through a generous donation from Robert W. Woodruff, former president of The Coca-Cola Company. The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District maintains stewardship of Woodruff Park, and is responsible for the park’s daily upkeep and programming, as well as securing and implementing funding for future development.

Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. is a downtown business association with about 250 members.