Dragon*Con is about to start and I’m learning a lot of reasons why this is like no con I’ve ever been to before. It seems like something more akin to what Comic-Con used to be and fills a very different function. I’ve received numerous warnings that this is a party convention, that this is where celebrities and fans alike go to party until the sun comes up. Although the convention doesn’t technically start until today, that spirit was in full swing last night.

In fact, I spent until two in the morning last night hanging out with people like Alan Ruck, Michael Stackpole and Aaron Allston.

The party reputation of this convention is so well known that a homeless man named Sylvester talked my ear off about it on my way to my hotel. Even he knew where the hotspots of activity for partying were and gave me all the tips I’d need, if I cared to use them. It truly feels like a warm blend of Comic-Con and some sort of hippie festival. (There was even a drum circle till 5 in the morning last night.)

I saw as many costumes last night as I did at any single day of Comic-Con and this event hadn’t even started yet. (If you’re following our twitter, you’ll see me posting pictures up as I see good (or horrible) costumes during my trip.)

I’ve got plenty of interviews lined up and hopefully some very cool ones, so check back for reports throughout the convention.