Alrighty....here comes the flood of information. Read it. Know it. There will be a test.
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STAGING ON PARADE MORNING, SATURDAY, 9/1
STAGING LOCATION: North Avenue Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Peachtree Street NE and North Avenue. The address is 607 Peachtree Street NE.
This location is approximately 8 blocks North of the Hyatt Regency’s front door. The North Avenue MARTA station within 1.5 blocks of the church.
We have arranged a special shuttle service loop to Staging. Pick up every 15 minutes at the Marriott Marquis (Courtland Street side) starting at 7:30 AM and continuing until the last shuttle departs at 9:30 AM. DO NOT BOARD ANY SHUTTLE LEAVING THE MARRIOTT AFTER THE 9:30 AM PICK UP. YOU WILL NOT ARRIVE AT STAGING ON TIME AND RISK LOSING YOUR PLACE IN THE PARADE.
TIME: Staging (line-up) 7:30 AM until 9:30 AM
The attached Participant Staging Map shows the approximate location of the parade section you've been assigned to. As people begin getting into place. sections tend to move further back. You can also locate your section by checking where the sections before and after yours are currently situated. If you are the first to arrive, you may be asked to hold a section name sign so others can find it.
Section Signs: These are meant for staging use only and should not be taken out on the route. Please do NOT leave the sign where your section was lining but rather hand it off to the parade team member collecting them as you leave to get onto the route at the Peachtree gate
IF YOU ARE WALKING IN THE PARADE: Plan on arriving by 9:00 AM and NO LATER THAN 9:30 AM. Parade team members will direct you to the location of your parade section. If you are the first in the section to arrive in the staging area, you may be asked to hold the place marker sign for that parade unit so others can find the section.
There are two staging entry points for participants at the parking lot gates, one on Peachtree Street and one on Courtland Street. Wristbands and badges are checked and must be visible when you enter.
The attached "2018 Participant Staging Map" will point you to the approximate location your section will be lining up in the staging area.
Once in the staging area, please follow the directions of the Parade team. One of us will tell you where you should stand (where your assigned parade section is being staged) if marching or where to park your parade vehicle (drivers, please stay with your vehicle). Dragon Con Security and the Atlanta PD are also on the ground to assist.
It's noisy and often hard to hear what's being said while we're staging and then moving the parade out. We sometime yell telling you to "move!" or something similar. Please be assured we aren't yelling because we're rude or cranky or angry...it's just so you can hear us, especially when there’s a sense of urgency and something needs to happen quickly. We love, appreciate and value the safety of you all, honest!
Once your parade section has been called, any vehicles assigned to your section will be integrated into your section on the street as we launch.
FACILITIES & AMENITIES in Staging: Porta-potties are located to the left of the participant entrance from Peachtree Street. Please make sure you tidy up after you use one.
The Boy Scouts are providing bottled water in the staging area and at the end of the parade route. Please take only ONE bottle of water to ensure all parade participants can have some water. If possible, bring your own or have a supply waiting for you at the end of the parade.
Please be aware of and appreciate that the church graciously allows us to use their property each year. Take time to make sure you do not leave any personal belongings, trash or other discarded items behind. There are several trash cans in the parking lot - find one of them and use it, please!
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THE PARADE
START TIME: 10:00 AM
The route is a little over one mile long. There is a slight incline on Peachtree Street. There is one downhill on Andrew Young International Blvd. The parade ends at the Marriott Marquis on Peachtree Center Avenue.
The CW Atlanta and DCTV are broadcasting us live! Be yourself, do what you’ve always done that makes the parade so incredible. More information regarding these broadcasts is attached.
At the end of the parade route, marchers will be directed into the Marriott via the front driveway and vehicles will be directed to continue on Peachtree Center Avenue.
Do NOT stop in the block in front of the Marriott, please. Parade vehicles can proceed to the next block where they can temporarily park to offload or tear down, if needed. If you do not need to change anything on your vehicles, please continue on Peachtree Center and follow the directions of the APD as they move you out of the area.
The parade is usually over - last person in the parade arrives at the Marriott between 11:30 & 11:45 AM. Depending on where your parade section is in the line-up, you should get there between 10:30 and 11:30 AM.
Please do not designate the end of the parade area as a meet-up spot for friends. It’s crowded and crazy and we’re trying to get literally thousands of parade participants through the area and off the street.
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Our GUIDELINES are attached to this mail. Please take a moment to read through them.
Most important to remember:
You MUST be a member of Dragon Con to participate in the parade. Badges and wristbands must be worn and visible on parade morning. (Some exceptions may apply and have been approved prior to the convention.)
NO ADVERTISING AND/OR PROMOTION of commercial enterprises is permitted in the parade without prior and express written approval from Dragon Con Senior Management.
WEAPONS as part of your costume must be peace-bonded by Dragon Con Security BEFORE the parade.
REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE - we represent everything that is wonderful about Dragon Con. The crowds that watch and enjoy the parade are filled with children waiting for a glimpse of their favorite characters and heroes. We are the very public face of Dragon Con. Please don’t do or say anything that reflects poorly on yourself or the convention.
We are a POLITICS-FREE ZONE. No campaigning or protesting or demonstrating - 'real life' political or social issues - is allowed.
Dragon Con reserves the right to remove anyone and anything from the parade, at any time and without prior notice, deemed offensive, dangerous or otherwise inappropriate for the event.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for making this year very special once again - SEE YOU AT CON!!!!
JP
Director, Dragon Con
Attachments: 2018 Parade Guidelines, 2018 Staging - How to Get to Staging, Dragon Con Parade Broadcast Information, 2018 Participant Staging Area Map, 2018 Route Map, 2018 Parade Shuttle Route Map