Con of Thrones saw a large number of Game of Thrones Fans at Music City Center in Nashville.
Nashville Tennessean
“Game of Thrones'” watch may have ended, but long-time fans are still passionate enough to travel from all over the nation to conventions such as this weekend’s Con of Thrones in Nashville.
The three day convention, held at the Music City Center, kicked off on Friday and will run until Sunday. The event allows fans of the TV show and the book series it was based on to enjoy the company of other Thrones addicts, dress up as their favorite characters and meet celebrities.
Since the pop culture giant of a television show just ended in May, many fans were still searching for closure and grappling with what was a controversial season.
“I was not pleased,” said Susie Wilson, 21, who was dressed as “Game of Thrones” character Margaery Tyrell, in reference to the show’s ending. “I’m pretending it didn’t happen.”
Others were more enthusiastic about the ending and excited to be among friends.
“I came to Nashville from New York City just for this event,” Christine Marquet, 32, said. “It’s just really cool to be around a bunch of people who are into the same things that you are into.”
At the heart of the event is the Con of Thrones Marketplace, complete with art, signed posters, a replica of the famous Iron Throne and a fighting arena.
The arena was hosted by Nashville group Dur Demarion, which prides itself on being the “largest foam fighting group in the south.” Attendees of the con can duke it out in a roped off area with foam weapons, courtesy of the group, which meets every Sunday at noon at Elmington Park.
On Friday, fans also had the chance to hear from “Game of Thrones” actor Jerome Flynn, who played Bronn on the show. The actor took part in a spotlight panel and Q&A during the convention.
Hannah Murray, who played Gilly on the show, was also at the convention Friday. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the actor who played Jaime Lannister, and Miltos Yerolemou, the actor who played Syrio Forel, will arrive later in the weekend.
During the panel, Flynn was asked how he was coping with leaving the show after years of working with the actors and crew.
“In a way, I don’t think it will ever leave us or leave me,” he said. “Ten years ago, I didn’t even know if I was going to act again, let alone come to Nashville to talk to you guys.”
He described the last day of working on “Game of Thrones” as “surreal” and “moving,” reflecting on seeing some of the actors literally growing up while being on the show.
“It was moving, but it didn’t really hit me that I wasn’t going back — after eight or nine years of going back,” he said. “It was very powerful and very emotional at the end.”
Tickets for the convention can still be purchased at www.conofthrones.net.
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