The 10th annual Cardboard*Con happens in Atlanta on March 2, 2019! This is the world’s first and only science-fiction and fantasy convention dedicated entirely to the art of cardboard costuming. The event is FREE and kid-friendly, and the Cardboard*Con schedule of events is below.
So forget about spandex and latex — and start saving those Amazon Prime boxes! You can now indulge your cosplaying fantasies affordably with that simplest of materials: cardboard.
Cardboard*Con includes a lot of mingling, as well as a parade and some tongue-in-cheek panel discussions. It’s a low-stress event — you can avoid all the crowds, fees, and hassles of those other sci-fi fantasy conventions that tie up traffic in Atlanta.
The organizers ask those who wish to attend to please RSVP on the Cardboard*Con Facebook Events page — and to please read all the event details.
The Cardboard*Con website (which is hilarious, by the way) says this about the event:
Encompassing more than 3 Atlanta downtown hotels, Cardboard*Con has become a tradition among all fun-loving nerds. The SECRET of Cardboard*Con is that there really isn’t a plan – you have to make it fun all by yourself, using your imagination and your manners.
If you want to enjoy the fun without a cardboard costume, that’s okay. The event information explicitly states that “First-time attendees are not required to wear costumes,” but that many un-costumed nerds “simply nip off to the food court to rustle up a box to put over their heads.”
If you wish to participate fully in the cardboard-costume craziness, this year’s theme is Generic Cardboard Space Adventure.
Wondering about the history of Cardboard*Con?
The Cardboard*Con website says this:
Accidentally founded in 2010 by Captain Drew of the original cardboard troopers, Cardboard*Con has gone on to attract tens of devoted attendees and such guests as Cardboard Pac-Man, Cardboard She-Ra, Cardboard Murder Kroger, Cardboard Captain America, Cardboard AWESOM-O, and Cardboard Boxxa Fett(ucinni).
In 2018, Cardboard*Con unveiled its official theme song, titled This is Cardboard*Con. You can watch the official music video here.
Cardboard*Con official convention schedule
The 2018 Cardboard*Con included this hilarious panel discussion on the need for air holes in cardboard costumes.
All events take place on March 2, 2019. For a map of the venues, see the Cardboard*Con About page. Please note there are at least three different versions of this schedule floating around out there, but they only vary by a half-hour or so (some events overlap).
- Opening Ceremonies
Meehan’s Irish Pub, at the Westin Peachtree Plaza
7 to 8 p.m.
- Parade
ends at the Marriott Marquis (exact route to be determined — but it will essentially be an orderly procession across the street, through the Hyatt, into the Marriott)
8 to 8:30 p.m.
- Meet & Greet
Pulse Bar, in the lobby of the Marriott Marquis
8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Convenshun & Costume Contest
Trader Vic’s, in the basement of the Atlanta Hilton
9:30 to 11 p.m.
- Panels and Photo-Ops (view a list of this year’s panels)
Various bars & hotels
10 p.m. to midnight
- Winner’s Circle After Party
Metro Diner (229 Peachtree St, downtown)
midnight to 1:30 a.m.
Looking for more FREE fun?
We can’t guarantee anything else as delightfully silly as Cardboard*Con, but check out these events!
