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Each year, Dragon Con’s faithful descend upon Peachtree Center clad in their finest foam, cloth, and metal, with masterfully created props in tow. We turn our heads to observe them, taking in the humor, skill, and uncanny resemblance to heroes, villains, and every character in between. Our favorite part of the convention, simply put, is people-watching.

This year, Stranger Things overtook the con. You could forgive us for thinking a Time Lord whisked us away to the 1980s—after all, one was present this past weekend. As usual, film, television, and video game characters rounded out our costumer-seeking experience. Newcomers to the world’s most-ambitious cross-over: memes, robotics, and even Marietta’s Big Chicken, offered a news lens with which to observe the pop culture zeitgeist while roaming the Marriott Marquis. The Cult of the Marriott Carpet also returned in greater numbers this year, creating more awareness of its colorful mission.

Want to learn more about what we saw? Read our highlights here.