ATLANTA — Along Peachtree Street in Downtown Atlanta Friday, it was day two of one of the hottest events of the year on one of the hottest days of the year.
“I’m not going outside, because it’s too freaking hot,” a puppet named Jester said.
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The puppet and her master, Jennifer Shell, were in the grand lobby of the Hyatt, which was full of Dragon Con fans.
It’s the 40th anniversary of the world’s largest pop culture convention, where 75,000 participants have been urged to be prepared.
“Mother Nature is not being the best friend of ours this year, so we have absolutely paid attention to the weather,” Dragon Con’s Joe Garland said.
A LOOK BACK AT PAST DRAGON CON PARADES:
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- PHOTOS: Dragon Con Parade to fill Atlanta streets with crazy characters
Temperatures topped 90 degrees. Cooling stations with cold water are in the host hotels. Everyone who comes and goes is advised to be like Captain America.
“I need to stay hydrated like everybody else. Even though I’m a super soldier, I’m still human,” the hero told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen.
Meantime, another Captain America, also known as Steve Purvis, says participants who dressed for the weather this day might be onto something.
“A lot of these cosplayers who come are Spartans with fuzzy underwear and a cape. You’re like, that’s a good idea,” Cap said.
Especially since some of Dragon Con’s special events can require a lot of waiting in line, often out in the Atlanta heat. Most carried water. Those who didn’t, had a friend who did.
“Can I make her turn around for a second?” Jester said.
“There it is. There’s the water bottle,” Shell exclaimed.
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