This weekend, you might see a group of Stormtroopers eating pizza at Lupi’s, an over-sized Pikachu sharing your Uber or Chewbacca in line behind you at Starbucks (we hear that Wookies like lattés.)

Don’t freak out. These are normal people in costume (i.e. cosplay) attending Chattanooga’s biggest multi-fandom convention. Con Nooga returns this year to the Chattanoogan hotel and Chattanooga Convention Center. Think of it as kind of a mini DragonCon with similar programming but manageable crowds.

For the uninitiated, Con Nooga is like a big party for people who like to dress up as their favorite pop culture characters. Seriously, the Con Nooga Costume Contest + Saber Idol (“American Idol” but with lightsabers) are both worth the price of admission. Every genre is encouraged and the programming includes activities for kids and adults.

Of course, you don’t have to dress up to attend. If you’re unsure how to proceed, you can just pick a “track,” a way to schedule your weekend around a specific genre or area of interest. Check out the full schedule here.

Weekend passes are $60, but if you can only attend one day, go on Saturday. The one-day $40 badge will get you into the costume contest + other events… and you can stick around for the room parties later in the night. Trust me on the room parties thing.

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I’ve never had a bad time at Con Nooga. How could you? The people watching alone is worth the price of admission. We attended the 2014 convention (at the Chattanooga Choo Choo) and recorded this video. It’s really one of those events that you just need to immerse yourself in.