 >>Next WonderFest: May 16-17, 2009
Plan your weekend using our Pocket Program Guide...
WonderFest is almost here, so you can make your weekend plans using our handy Pocket Program Guide. We'll have printed copies of the purple brochure at the Admissions Office, but you can download a PDF for a sneak peek.
It's a big file (almost 1 Mb!), and you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. Remember, everything is tentative and subject to change on the weekend--it's a live event! Download the PDF now!
Updates on Demos, Dealers, Special Awards...
With WonderFest right around the corner, we've now posted the schedules for our free modeling How-To Demos, and updated our list of dealers confirmed for the show. Plus, two new special awards have been added for our Amazing Model Contest. Check 'em out!
 Iron Modeler competition returns to WonderFest!
Using only a pile of random parts and a common theme, teams of modelers pit their wits and skills against each other as they build and finish a model of their own design. But wait. They've only got four hours in which to do it and only one team will be crowned the true Iron Modeler Champions!
Modelers won't want to miss this annual tradition. It will be held on Saturday night, May 16th, from 6 till 10:30pm in the Perry Room. You'll find more details (and how to sign up) here. The event is sponsored by Starship Modeler, 2 Fat Guys, Iwata Airbrushes, Testor's, and Aves.
 We won a Rondo!
WonderFest has won its first-ever Rondo Award for Best Convention of 2008.
We're grateful for all of you WF supporters who cast your votes for us. We'll do our best to make WonderFest 2009 an even better show than last year!
'Lost in Space' star Angela Cartwright and makeup FX master Steve 'Species' Johnson join the 'Fest
 More great first-time guests have just signed on to help make WonderFest 20 an event to remember!
Angela Cartwright, “Penny Robinson” from the original Lost in Space series will be joining her sister and fellow thesp Veronica for this year’s ‘Fest! Angela’s film and TV career began at the age of 3 (!) when she found herself co-starring with Hollywood legends like Paul Newman and Rock Hudson... Read more...
Special makeup FX legend Steve Johnson joins the ‘Fest’s guest roster! One of Rick Baker’s original protégés, Steve cut his fangs on the likes of An American Werewolf in London, Videodrome and Greystoke before heading up Boss Film’s Creature Department in the 80’s for hits like Ghostbusters, Fright Night, Big Trouble in Little China and Poltergeist 2... Read more...
Friday before the show:
Don't miss Kitbuilders University and Sci-Fi U!
For model-building hobbyists who want to hone their skills, WonderFest hosts two side events that take place all day on Friday, May 15th, the day before WonderFest opens. Note: These are separately ticketed events. Visit their links for prices and sign-up info. Space is limited!
Kitbuilders University offers two figures-oriented workshops, one for painting and one for sculpting. It's sponsored by Kitbuilders Magazine and WonderFest. Read more...
 Sci-Fi U is tailored for the s-f vehicle builder. Federation Models and CultTVman are again joining forces to bring Sci-Fi U back to WonderFest. This all day seminar and workshop focuses on various aspects of building,
painting, and detailing science fiction hardware. The class runs from 9am to 5pm on Friday May 15th at the Crown Plaza. Space is limited and there
is a small registration fee. You can sign up on the Federation Models website.
 Multi-talented creature designer Steve Wang comes aboard!
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Steve Wang has appeared at a ‘Fest and we’re extremely happy to welcome him back.
One of the most original and talented FX artists, designers and sculptors in Hollywood, Steve’s also a legend in the figure kit world and a busy producer/director... Read more...
Saturday night 'Alien' movie screening and Sunday night dinner tickets are available to order NOW!
All the details are finally locked-in, so it's time to grab your tickets for the hottest events of WonderFest 2009!
First, there's our Saturday night off-site screening of the director's cut of ALIEN at the Baxter Avenue Theatres. Tickets are only $9 each, and bus passes to-and-from the hotel may be purchased for a mere $5. Seating is very, very limited, so don't wait!
Then, on Sunday night, join fellow fans and celebrity guests at our WonderFest 20th Anniversary Dinner. It's a casual, Alien-themed affair with some exclusive video and presentations to go along with your burgers and dogs. Tickets are $25 per person, and as with the movie screening, seating is limited.
At WonderFest, the days and nights are just packed! Don't misss out!
 Abrams Star Trek movie illustrator John Eaves returns to the 'Fest!
WonderFest is very happy to report that conceptual designer/fx modelmaker /California cowpoke John Eaves will be joining us again for 2009! Always a fan favorite, John has been busy since his last ‘Fest appearance two years back with concept illustration duties on films ranging from Tropic Thunder and Valkyrie to upcoming blockbusters G.I. Joe, Star Trek and Iron Man 2! Read more...
 More incredible Alien prop replicas on display...
ALIEN superfans Steve LaBoyteaux and Richie Bohach will be bringing some dazzling re-creations of the space helmet and costume props from the original 1979 film for our special display area at this year's WonderFest! This is the first time these props will be displayed publicly and we think you'll agree that they're fantastic work.Visit our Daytime page for more photos and displays...
 ...And a wedding, too!
WonderFest model contest chief John Davis is getting married to his fiance Lisa the night before the show. While they can't afford to have everyone come to their wedding (no crashers!), we do hope you'll take the time to wish them well. By the way, this is the second WonderFest wedding. Sculptor Mike Parks and his lovely wife Danya Linehan tied the knot back at WonderFest 2001.
ALIENS invade Louisville!
The On-Line Flyer has all the 2009 Show Info...
Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of WonderFest and the 30th for Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror classic Alien in May. We're pulling out the stops to make the 20th 'Fest a memorable one.
 Our mothership hotel for the last 13 years has been remodeled and renamed: The Crowne Plaza. The familiar spaces have morphed into a layout that fits WonderFest perfectly. It's an ideal setting for a weekend of fun, movies, and fantastic models!
Besides a chance to see the first Alien film off-site in a real theater, we'll have free hotel screenings of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and its newly finished sequel, The Lost Skeleton Returns Again.
Our Guest lineup so far includes:
Follow the links at the right or go to our ON-LINE FLYER PAGE to learn why Louisville in 2009 is the place to be! See you May 16 & 17!
Make your hotel reservations now! Just call 1-800-626-2708, and ask for room block code WON. The special room rate is $95 per night for up to 4 people in the room.
Official photos from last year's show are posted
Our show photographer and other friends of the show were busy snapping away at the sights of WF 2008. You can see the 50 best shots here.
Special thanks go to Jim Battles, Beau Kaelin and Tony Hardy for the images.
 A weekend to remember as another one hits the history books!
WonderFest 2008 was a huge success despite the split-venue challenge of our main hotel being in the midst of a renovation. It's hard to keep a good show down when the fans arrive determined to have a blast!
Attendees enjoyed our great guests, (such as 2001 actor Keir Dullea, shown grinning above trying on a replica of his famous space helmet), the most stunning exhibits we've ever had, a huge contest turnout with awesome models, great dealers, fun photo ops with Star Wars and dino props, and much more. As reviews appear online we'll link to them here.
'08 Amazing Model Contest winners posted
This year almost broke last year's all-time record of entries with 410 models! Thanks to all those who entered, our amazing sponsors who provided awesome prizes...and the judges who faced the daunting challenge of choosing from the best work in the hobby!
We've got this year's winners list along with newly-completed records of past 'Fest winners going all the way back to 1999. Please let us know of any misspellings or mistakes--we're translating handwritten forms.
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