The seventh annual AwesomeCon, Washington D.C.’s Comic-Con, will take place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from April 26-28. One of the best-attended conventions in the country and especially on the East Coast, AwesomeCon attracts thousands of visitors for a celebration of pop-culture, comics, literature, art, and film. Fans come out in handmade costumes for the Costume Contest; artists and creators sell their works in the extensive Artist Alley; people will now trade their collectibles at the all-new Funko Swap Meet. Panelists at this year’s event will include everyone from NASA physicists to expert fanfiction writers. Celebrities from film, TV, and comics will also meet fans and speak on panels about their careers: “Doctor Who” leading man Matt Smith, “Princess Bride” stars Wallace Shawn and Cary Elwes, and the actors behind Meredith, Creed, and Oscar from "The Office" will be in attendance for autographs and photo ops.

As a D.C. native and pop-culture fan, AwesomeCon is the consistent highlight of my summer and maybe my year. A few years ago, I got to meet David Tennant—while dressed as him—which I still talk about at parties. I am thrilled for the new Georgetown students who will experience it for the first time. Go in costume!

Alexandra Bowman