BABSCon 2024 retrospective: Cosplay time and a Wonderbolt buffet (!?) · 2:23am April 15th
Misty Brightdawn and Pipp Petals, actual size :p (Plush purchased from Hibiscus Stitch)
BABSCon this Easter weekend was great! I would describe this year as "gracefully downsized". As I mentioned last year, 2023 BABSCon was eerily empty, and as a response to the reduced attendance, they halved the size of the Mane Stage and eliminated some of the event rooms. I think this helped make the con feel more lively, even if the attendance was about the same as last year.
The panels were actually the least memorable part of the con this year. I didn't have time to go to many of the panels because of my cosplay (if there's something that's GUARANTEED to suck up downtime at a convention, it's cosplay 
). And at the panels I went to, there were chronic internet problems which led many panels to start behind schedule or end early.
Next year (2025) is the last BABSCon! 
I'm sad to see it go but I think it's better to end on a good note. I'm glad I was still able to attend for a solid 3 consecutive years.
This year at BABSCon, I actually ventured out of the fandom and cosplayed as Marin Kitagawa, an in-universe cosplayer from the manga My Dress-Up Darling. For the second day, I decided on a whim to mix my Twilight cosplay and the Marin cosplay to make a "Marin Kitagawa at a Brony Convention" cosplay. 
Even at a My Little Pony convention, I was recognized as Marin a few times, which surprised me!
"Marin Kitagawa at a brony convention." The clothing is based off Marin's typical school attire. And then you can see the ends of the Twilight wig and the tail behind. Honestly, Marin would totally be a pegasister IRL.
I found it amusing that the con hotel (Hyatt Regency) went all out on trying to cater to the bronies this year. They even had a $16 "Wonderbolts Pizza Party" buffet, which was a great way for the hotel to cash in convenient given the food situation around the BABSCon hotel is ABYSMAL. (Given how much of a picky eater I am, Everfree Northwest is much better in this regard!)
The dishes are on-character, but the menu wasn't Wonderbolts-themed specifically, as you can see. 
And the food itself was very mediocre. But A for effort, I'd say!
I spent a lot of the con with my friends autolumen and Steady Gaze, who I had first met during BABSCon 2022. I also found 5u0myn0n4 in his usual Cozy Glow cosplay. But there were a surprising number of first-timers to BABSCon! I met someone who went by "Damien" who won the "Assembled" division at the cosplay contest. I didn't get any pictures or social media contacts, but their Rarity and Twilight cosplays were gorgeous! I also met someone who went by "Yueyi" who was literally Maud personified--she's an IRL geologist, a fan of Maud Pie, and coincidentally had Maud's bob-style haircut. It was pretty eerie. 
One thing that was new to the 2024 con (if it was in earlier cons, I might've missed it) was the Zipp Civic, or a customized Honda Civic with Zipp on it! I took a ride offered by the owner, and it was pretty fun!
Also note the Starlight Glimmer car in the background
Next up, Everfree Northwest! I'm applying for two new panel ideas this time, more info to come!
Would you all be interested in a crossdressing cosplay panel? Thinking of piloting that at Everfree NW, though I'd be only be able to personally speak about MTF crossplay.
Pretty interesting retrospective, honestly. I’ve never been to a con (and I don’t see myself ever going to one as things stand right now) but it seems like it was pretty chill. Glad you had a good time.
Also, that Zipp Civic is bold.
Considering Misty, like Izzy, is on the tall side for the cast even after omitting the horn, this is not much of an exaggeration.
Great plush too, Hibiscus Stitch makes lovely work.
That buffet menu is very familiar to me, not because of the foot itself but because the cocktail menus for the bar at UK PonyCon use the same vectors, backgrounds and similar layouts (I think they are standard and used by several cons by now, though).
Given how many relate/map onto Twilight so much it hurts, it’s little surprise it’s the case for the show’s peripheral characters too.
And yep, pretty bold Zipp car there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen cars decked out with MLP characters/branding on them, though of course I’ve only ever gotten the train to the cons I’ve gone to, and didn’t pass by any carparks.
That's a lovely plush Misty!