Labor Day Weekend Brings Massive Crowds to Atlanta
This Labor Day weekend in Atlanta has been buzzing with several high-profile events that have attracted large crowds while also testing visitors’ navigation skills. With Dragon Con, Atlanta’s Global Black Pride, and the opening football game between the University of Georgia and Clemson University all taking place, attendees have had a full plate of activities to choose from.
Seasoned event-goers like Sheila McKinnon have found ways to manage the chaos effectively. McKinnon, who traveled from Huntsville, Alabama, shared that early preparation is key. “It’s always people who, it’s their first time and they have no idea. And you can see they have kind of the deer in headlights look of ‘what have I come into?’” McKinnon said. Her advice is simple—don’t wait until the first day to arrive. “We came Wednesday,” she explained. “We parked at the hotel. So, it’s expensive, but at least we knew we’d have a spot.” To further avoid traffic woes, McKinnon and her family opted to walk from their hotel.
Traffic Woes and Timely Arrivals
Atlanta is well-known for its heavy traffic, which was even more compounded by the influx of visitors this weekend. At some points on Saturday, it took twice as long to get downtown. Atlanta native Paige Ealy, dressed as Korra from Legend of Korra, shared her strategy for avoiding the traffic. “We beat the traffic. We got here at about 7:30 in the morning,” Ealy said. She and her companion Julian Anphy arrived early enough to have breakfast and hang out before Dragon Con kicked off.
Long Waits and Busy Lines
Despite their early arrival, breezing through the event was another matter altogether. Many visitors reported that the wait times for various attractions ranged from 30 minutes to two hours. “When we were standing for the artist alley, it just wrapped around the whole building and then wrapped inside,” Anphy recalled. However, the crowd did seem to thin out as the evening went on, allowing for a less congested exploration of the city by both sports fans and costume enthusiasts.
Safety Measures and Relief
One reassuring element for the visitors was the visible presence of first responders. McKinnon expressed her relief at seeing them around. “I appreciated the presence of the police and paramedics. You see people everywhere you go,” she said. Their presence added an extra layer of safety to an otherwise bustling and crowded weekend.
Dragon Con and Atlanta’s Global Black Pride are set to continue on Sunday, ensuring that the city’s excitement is far from over.
Additional Events and Weather Forecast
In addition to Dragon Con and Atlanta’s Global Black Pride, there are multiple activities lined up for the holiday weekend, spanning from August 30 through September 1. However, attendees should be prepared for hot and sticky conditions, as forecasts indicate a likelihood of pop-up showers throughout the weekend.
This Labor Day weekend demonstrates that with a little preparation and some strategic planning, visitors can still enjoy a jam-packed schedule of events, even in a bustling city like Atlanta.
