Awesome Con Lives Up to Its Name (photos)

The pop culture extravaganza known as Awesome Con, which celebrated its seventh year in Washington, D.C., from April 26 to 28, lived up to its name with an estimated 80,000 attendees over the three days. The entire Walter E. Washington Convention Center became a zone where celebrities, artists, scientists and creators could engage one-on-one with fans of comic books and science fiction and fantasy in all media.

Smithsonian Magazine once again partnered with Awesome Con in a series of lectures and panels called Future Con, bringing together the best in science fiction and fantasy with serious science and cutting-edge technology. NASA, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Science Foundation and other such organizations had a presence at the event.

The highlight for many participants was the chance to become one of their favorite characters. Cosplay, originally a Japanese word combining costume and play, is the activity of dressing up as characters from a comic book, an anime, a video game or a fantasy-based movie or TV show.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the seventh Awesome Con by clicking on the photo icons below.

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