Diving Headfirst into my Blerdcon Experience
Story and photos by Larry Biscoe.
From March 7th to 9th, my Esport team went to BlerdCon in Crystal City, Virginia. BlerdCon, short for Black Nerd Convention, is a lively and welcoming event that invites attendees from all walks of life. It brought together enthusiasts of cosplay, anime, gaming, Black nerd culture, and the creative arts. This year's debut attracted a passionate audience ready to participate in panels, costume contests, gaming tournaments, and innumerable chances to network with other fans, artists, and designers. I was there to see it all, and it was fantastic.
My first day at BlerdCon was packed with new experiences and excitement. I wanted to absorb everything and see as much as I could, because it was my first time going. I was welcomed by a group of cosplayers who were gathered outside as soon as we got there. Costumes ranged from Pokémon, to outfits with bunny themes, and everything in between. We returned to the main building after obtaining our press badges and checking in. I began by looking around the convention's layout. People could congregate, converse, and simply take in the atmosphere on the first floor, which served more as a social center. With its abundance of stores, artist stalls, and vendor booths, the second level was undoubtedly a place for fans and collectors to browse. All of the gaming activity, including both free play and competitive tournaments, took place at the basement level. I immediately went to the gaming area and registered for the Mario Kart competition, of course. Getting photos with as many cosplayers as possible was one of my key goals for the day. I took about 20 pictures throughout the day because everyone was very amiable and imaginative with their attire. Although the entire event was brief, it was a fantastic way to get to know the BlerdCon community. I played games, made new friends, and had the opportunity to take part in something quite special. I'm already excited to return next year.
As I got ready for the Mario Kart event on the second day of BlerdCon, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I heard my name called out abruptly, "in the first group, we have... Chunky." I sat down, eager to compete, my heart pounding. However, the competition had to be restarted several times due to technical issues. Even worse, there were concurrent internet problems with the Janelle Monáe panel, which resulted in additional delays. In spite of these obstacles, I easily won the first round when the competition did start, staying in the winners' bracket the entire time. Unfortunately, even with my best efforts, I came in fourth. I could feel the disappointment, and I needed some time to collect myself. In search of comfort, I went upstairs to have dinner, and snapped some more pictures to cheer myself up. Afterwards, my buddies and I went around the conference's many stores and exhibits. Along with an elegant sweatshirt, I also bought an intriguing book and a One Piece beanie. The highlight was getting to meet the author and have them autograph my book. I stayed late, determined to make the most of the day, taking more pictures to record the event, meeting new people, and soaking up the lively environment.
BlerdCon's final day was really laid back. Everyone appeared to be lounging and enjoying themselves, and not much was happening. I had to look at everything because it was the last day, and everything was on sale at all the shops and stands. An added bonus was that some free merchandise was being distributed. I liked the relaxed atmosphere while playing casual games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The closing ceremony was amazing; the audience was attentive, Hilton George, the founder of BlerdCon, was the speaker and was very motivational, and the entire affair was a fitting way to end. I said goodbye to the friends I had made and snapped a few final pictures as the weekend drew to a close. I'm definitely coming back next year, and I want to go to all the other conventions like this one. It was an amazing event, and words cannot express how much I enjoyed this experience. The dates of the upcoming BlerdCon are set for March 6–8, 2026. Go to blerdcon.org, the official website, for further information and updates.
Larry Biscoe is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.