'Cult Of The Marriott Carpet' Rolls Out Into Atlanta This Weekend

Nerds? Nerds?

It’s finally Friday & today kicks off Labor Day weekend. It also marks the start of ‘the largest multi-media, pop culture convention focusing on science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe': Dragon Con.

They expect nearly 85K to make the pilgrimage to the event’s annual site, the Atlanta Marriott. Over the years, a certain item has gained a cult following there even though it was ripped away from them in 2015. From the Wall Street Journal:

Members of the Cult of Marriott Carpet will walk the convention halls and march in a parade wearing costumes in the hypnotic, star-circle pattern of blue, red and gold that once covered the atrium floor in one of Dragon Con’s chief venues.

Zan Bowden, a 45-year-old IT worker from Florida, organized the first group to wear the pattern in a Dragon Con parade in 2016. Ms. Bowden, who posted notices on social media, wasn’t sure anyone would show up. People came in all kinds of costumes, including what she described as “a carpet warrior with a shield” and “a Picasso-inspired outfit.” Some made their costumes from actual carpet.

“I got 30 random strangers to dress up like carpet and march with me,” she said. “You should have heard the cheers of the crowd.”

I love this kind of stuff. In a previous blog I noted that I worked Comic Con in Philadelphia & loved it. The people watching was second only to the Indy500 & it was the nicest crowd on the planet. The only lowlight was dealing with a husky 6’5 man in a very tight Catwoman suit who was unhappy with his cheesesteak. As usual I went down a rabbit hole wanting to see more of the carpet cult & wasn’t disappointed:

3D spinners with the old carpet design, NBD.

Don’t hate this:

Nice to see they’re staying strong despite the bland replacement.