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JoeFest 2024 – The A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 4 of 4

SUNDAY – – – –

[Note: An earlier version of Part Three had Breakfast with the Sarge on Saturday the 22nd. In fact it was Sunday the 23rd, so I’ve moved those four paragraphs and two photos here. Sorry! No, you’re not crazy, you’re just seeing them again.]

In Parts [One], [Two], and [Three], Tim traveled to JoeFest in Augusta, Georgia, saw people, walked around, ate stuff, and attended a panel. And now, our exciting conclusion!

Once again, I was unable to sleep in. The Marriott bed wasn’t the greatest, and in general I was pretty amped up the whole weekend — in a good way — so it was hard to fully relax. That the convention would only be open from 11am to 3pm on this final day were a real mercy — that’s a late start after so much staying up late, and no early hours. But notably, the show would end “early.” I feel like when I was younger, toy and comics conventions went until 5pm on the last day, but maybe everyone noticed attendance tapering off as people departed and dealers anxious to start the trek home started packing up. With these floor hours in mind, every minute counted. (I’ve certainly found the final hour of some cons at which I have tabled these last few years to be quiet, so maybe this is a post-pandemic thing.)

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JoeFest 2024 – The A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 4

In Part One, Tim flew to Augusta and started having a great time at JoeFest ’24. Then, in Part Two, he continued that trend, despite dropping an amazing chocolate ice cream sandwich on the sidewalk! Read on for Part Three…

You may be at a G.I. Joe convention if you see this outside:

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JoeFest 2024 – The A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 2 of 4

In Part One, Tim flew to Augusta, Georgia for his second JoeFest! There, he checked into the hotel, caught up with friends, and ate a pizza! Read on for Part Two…

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JoeFest 2024 – The A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 1 of 4

This was my second year in a row at JoeFest, and the city of Augusta, Georgia, is similar to how I described it in last year’s report. With that in mind, I’m skipping all the descriptions — murals and storefronts — but you may wish to read my ’23 intro here to get a taste.

– – – [Jump ahead to Part Two, Part Three, or Part Four] – – –

A little context: There is no longer an official G.I. Joe convention, “JoeCon,” licensed and attended by Hasbro. Whereas JoeCon moved locations each year, JoeFest is always in Augusta, Georgia, and has aptly filled the gap for a major summer Joe show. Last year’s attendance was 7,500. This year’s I’m told topped 10,000. It was in the same space as last year, now just imagine more people. Here’s JoeFest 2024, or two-thirds of it: –[Click all photos to enlarge]–

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JoeFest 2023 – The Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 3

In Part 1, Tim flew to Georgia, walked around Augusta, and talked with friends and bought stuff. In Part 2, there was more talking and buying. Read on for the conclusion to this exciting saga, and click to enlarge photos…

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JoeFest 2023 – The Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 2 of 3

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JoeFest 2023 – The Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 1 of 3

-It’s hard to expose for skin tone backlit by an illuminated sign-

All pictures from here on, click to enlarge…

If this is to be a year to re-engage with working on my G.I. Joe history book, and my schedule is clearer for not teaching, then this is a year to check out several Joe conventions I’ve long heard about. These smaller, regional shows are particularly important in the continued absence of the official G.I. Joe convention.

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