RuPaul's DragCon NYC: A Beginner's Guide to Having a Fierce Time

It's almost time to attend RuPaul's 2019 DragCon in New York City, but are you prepared? If this year is your first time attending DragCon, or a fan convention in general, then there are some tips and basic info you should know before getting there.

I've attended DragCon in the past and it's always a ball. Literally, there's a runway and performances happening all throughout the day at the TikTok main stage area. Think of me as your DragCon mother as I walk you through what you need to know about having the fiercest time attending the most loving celebration of Drag Race, drag queens, artists, and fans.

What to Know Before Heading to the Convention Center

To get the most bang for your buck, get there as early as you can and visit as many booths as possible. Obviously, that's not entirely realistic (or recommended for everyone), so here's the basic what-to-know about the weekend:

DragCon NYC will be at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street). Most people will likely get there via subway since it's located right off of the 34th Street–Hudson Yards stop on the 7 train (for non-NYC subway fish, that's the purple line). And the hours are as followed:

• Friday, September 6: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (VIP hours from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

• Saturday, September 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (VIP hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Sunday, September 8: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (VIP hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Panels:

Panels are some of the most exciting parts of DragCon. This is where you can hear some of your favorite drag queens chime in on a variety of topics, with everything from Broadway to fashion to political activism. They're also the perfect way to get off your feet for a bit and hear some candid conversations between panel speakers. You'll likely learn some new things, whether it's a backstage moment during Drag Race or a new makeup tip.

If you are trying to go to a certain panel that's likely to have a lot of people wanting to get in, I would recommend getting there as early in the day as possible. Every room has a maximum capacity, so it is possible that you won't be able to get into some of the more popular panels if there's a bunch of attendees interested. If the lines are anything like last year, there will be people camping in certain lines all day.

You can find all of the panel descriptions and times on the DragCon website, here. There's a number of exciting panels this year, including a "RuTalks," which will have RuPaul and legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg sit down for a one-on-one kiki.

Signings:

Besides panels, there are guides for the signing schedule with info on where queens and other talent will be located on the floor, and a map of the convention center's set up. I would recommend marking where the booths you want to visit are, but don't necessarily try to map out your timing, since some booths may have longer lines than others.

Helpful DragCon Guidelines and Tips

Dressing Up

Feel free to dress up! This is DragCon, so, obviously, this is your moment to come in full drag (or just a wig) if you have ever thought about it — just remember that comfortable shoes are a prime option since you will be standing and walking around all day, so, baby queens, be weary of trying out some six-inch heels. Besides standard drag, last year there were also exceptional costumes of different RuGirls or glammed-up monsters. Halloween will be in just a few weeks, so think about trying out a look at DragCon.

Be Respectful of Other Attendees

You will see some amazing outfits and looks this weekend, but just because you are an admirer taking a photo does not necessarily give you permission to photograph someone without their consent. Always ask first. A lot of folks put tireless amounts of energy and time into their looks and would likely more than happy to pose for you — and even provide a handle so you can tag them if you want to share their look.

Additionally, DragCon will inherently bring guests of different gender identities and expressions. Be sure never to assume anyone's gender, maybe even opt to use gender-neutral pronouns by default. The DragCon website has a full rundown of their harassment policy to make sure that everyone feels safe and welcomed at the event.

Be Respectful of the Queens, or Anyone With a Booth

Look, just because a certain queen isn't your fan favorite, doesn't mean they're not someone else's. You know queens from a tiny sliver of their life that was spent on a reality show, and just because they might have been a "villain" on the show doesn't mean they're one in real life. If a queen's aesthetic isn't your cup of tea, then you are more than welcome to keep that comment to yourself.

Something else to keep in mind during DragCon weekend: it is incredibly exhausting for queens to be in drag all day long. As Trixie Mattel puts it, “Drag queens are in a lot of pain, and they are very fragile.” Some queens may be incredibly receptive to chatting with you, but it's always good to be aware that the process of meeting fans, taking pictures with attendees, and signing autographs can get repetitive and draining — so try not to take offense if you don't feel like every interaction you have is a life-changing one.

Be Aware of Signing Fees and Who Sets Them Up

If you want to do a meet-and-greet, be prepared to wait, and be prepared to pay. It's very standard at conventions to pay for autographs, and for Drag Race contestants, that's no different. It's industry-standard for artists to pay for their own booths, so re-cooping those costs are usually factored into signing. Luckily, signing fees are usually included in merch prices, so you can think of your picture or autograph coming with a T-shirt or pin that you were going to buy anyway. This is their career, please remember that!

Don't Forget to Pack the Basics

You are going to be up on your feet all day, so wear comfortable shoes — or at least a backup pair of flats if you were planning to wear heels. Having cash on hand will be useful. A lot of vendors and queens will accept credit card, but it is usually much faster and preferred to pay in cash for merchandise or artwork. Try and pack light, although I would recommend bringing a small bag to store any merch you buy as well as bringing small snacks and water bottle. There will also be charging stations available this year, so if you don't own a portable battery, then I definitely recommend bringing a charger with you so you can keep that Instagram Story on point.

Check Out the Local Artists and Queens

It's called DragCon, not DragRaceCon, meaning there is so much to see other than just doing meet-and-greets with former contestants. You will be in New York City, home of some of the best drag queens in the world, so make sure to pay your respects. Additionally, there will be so many artists selling their original artwork, enamel pins, bags, T-shirts, and more that you will definitely want to check out.

Make Sure You Know What You're in Line For

Every year, some of the lines get fairly hectic — especially for fan favorites and season winners such as Sasha Velour and Bob the Drag Queen — so be sure to ask others in line or someone working at the booth you are trying to get to for clarification of where to stand.

Be Aware of People's Accessibility

If you are someone with a disability, chances are you are always planning ahead to know what will be accessible to you. But if you are planning to go with a friend who has a disability, perhaps you haven't thought of that yet, so make sure you check the DragCon website for information on their ADA policy. It's crucial that every attendee has the most welcoming time possible while at the event.

Don't Forget to Enjoy Yourself

This weekend has the potential to be unforgettable. There's going to be a lot of pressure to try to see as much and meet as many queens as you can. Just remember, Ru Girls make a living by traveling. Chances are that if you miss a meet-and-greet, there will be future opportunities to see someone. If, for some reason, you can’t make it to a panel, there's a high chnace it will be filmed and put on the WOW Presents YouTube page. Be present and have fun!

Related: RuPaul's DragCon NYC 2017: Jeremy Kost Photographed 9 of the Most Sickening Queens

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue