Next ‘Fest: June 10-11, 2023 | Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel
SEARCH THE SITE:
PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
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Tickets
Sold at the door only.
Adults: $33 for 1-day, $48 for 2-days.
Ages 4 to 12: $12 for 1-day, $18 for 2-days
Age 3 and under free.
Ticket booth hours…
Hotel & Restaurant
Special WonderFest room rates at the Crowne: $139 per night for up to 4 people! It’s convenient to stay in the show hotel with an award-winning restaurant
Reserve a room online…
Louisville Attractions
Bring your family and take extra time to visit exciting tourism sites in and around Louisville. Go exploring the Bourbon Trails and more.
Fun in Louisville…
MEET THE 2023 GUESTS
Click their names to read about them. All appearances are tentative.
THE AMAZING MODEL CONTEST
Greatest in the World for Imaginative Modelers!
The WonderFest “Amazing” Model Contest is focused on all types of science-fiction, horror and comics models. It’s the biggest contest of its type in America, and it’s fun to look at even if you don’t build models yourself!
The contest is sponsored by Amazing Figure Modeler magazine, which is providing a special $300 award for the Most Amazing Figure!
Entry Hours: Saturday, June 10th, from 8 a.m. ’til Noon
- $10.00 per first 2 models for adults, up to 8 additional entries free
- $8.00 per first 2 models for teens, up to 8 add’l entries free (ages 13-19)
- Free for ages 12 & under
With over 800 entries in 2022, it took up the entire ballroom and featured some of the best modeling we’ve ever seen.
MUST-SEE PROGRAMMING
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How-To Demos
All weekend! Learn techniques from other great modelers! Demos last from 30 minutes to an hour. Become a better modeler!
More info…
Iron Modeler
Teams are given a “base model,” a big pile of parts, and 4 hours to build the craziest model with only what they’ve got. Best model & presentation wins!
More info…
The Rondo Awards
4pm Saturday! Fandom’s only classic horror awards—decided by fans. Recognize the best in print, film, web, art, media, toys and models!
More info…
Sunday Wrap Party
Sunday night at 7:30 celebrate the end of the show with exclusive programming! Optional a la carte food and cash bar.
More info…
WHAT IS WONDERFEST?
A weekend of wonder in Louisville!
WonderFest is a weekend of hobby escape that’s held every Summer in Louisville, Kentucky USA!
Now in its 33rd year, WonderFest features movie special effects guests, the largest model contest in the U.S. for sci-fi, horror & comics-related subjects, model and toy dealers galore, and seminars to entertain and improve hobbyists of all ages!
It’s always held at our mothership, the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
They help make this event possible!
WONDERFEST LATEST NEWS
From our Facebook feed...
GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: KIRK THATCHER
To celebrate STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI's 40th anniversary, we've arranged a reunion of several legendary artists! Watch the docu-series LIGHT & MAGIC on Disney+ to see them in action.
KIRK THATCHER's most enduring fame might be playing the punk rocker on the bus that Spock pinched in STAR TREK IV and appeared again in season 2 of PICARD. That may be changing: In 2022, Kirk starred in Marvel's WEREWOLF BY NIGHT as "Jovan," who had a close encounter with "Ted"—otherwise known as Man-Thing! He was terrific in it, too!
Kirk's an Emmy and Webby award winning writer, producer, creature and production designer and film director. His career began at age 18 working for Industrial Light and Magic. He designed, built, painted, and puppeteered creatures for RETURN OF THE JEDI, STAR TREK II and III, E.T., POLTERGEIST, and GREMLINS. He wrote and co-produced DINOSAURS (reaching new generations on Disney+) and other Muppet TV movies and shows, including TURKEY HOLLOW and MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND.
Recently, Kirk created and executive produced a series for Netflix entitled, THE CURIOUS CREATIONS OF CHRISTINE McCONNELL. He also co-wrote and co-directed the hit MUPPET LIVE Shows that played at the Hollywood Bowl and in London's O2 stadium. Kirk co-wrote and directed MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION for Disney and joined the writing team of Mystery Science Theater 3000!
Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2023 #wonderfesthobbyexpo #jedi40 #WerewolfByNight
Yay! Looking forward to seeing you again!
This fellow is quite the storyteller. Very entertaining and interesting!
GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: BILL GEORGE
To celebrate STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI's 40th anniversary, we've arranged a reunion of several legendary artists! Watch the docu-series LIGHT & MAGIC on Disney+ to see them in action.
Being the mastermind of the amazing Sci-Fi Air Show would be reason enough for us to invite BILL GEORGE to WonderFest. So would Bill's involvement on the team of modelmakers who restored the Starship Enterprise filming miniature. But his other credits, including an Oscar win, are a mile long!
Bill joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1981. Since then, he has worked as model shop supervisor, art director, matte painter, commercial director, and visual effects supervisor.
Some highlights of his career include miniature construction and design on BLADE RUNNER, art direction and design for five of the STAR TREK films, directing over 30 commercials at ILM and overseeing model construction on GHOSTBUSTERS 2 and ALIVE. In 1988, he received an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for his work on INNERSPACE.
Bill has gone on to earn nominations by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television and the Visual Effects Society (VES) for his work on HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, as well a VES nomination for HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. His work can also be seen in Disney park attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure, Soarin’ Around the World, and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.
Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2023 #wonderfesthobbyexpo #jedi40
I’ll be there
Loved meeting him last year. This year will be STELLAR!!
Brandon Beck
Um the I is on the wrong side of the V isn't it?
GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: WESLEY EURE and KATHY COLEMAN
Both actors starred as young siblings Will and Holly Marshall in TV's LAND OF THE LOST, which first ran on NBC Saturday mornings from September 1974 to December 1976. Their family fought to survive in a land populated by dinosaurs and otherworldly beings. Wes and Kathy will be bringing some fun displays and props for photo ops and love to have fun with their fans! Thanks to sponsor Mark Warthling of Pestilence Labs for making this possible!
Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2023 #wonderfesthobbyexpo #jedi40 #landofthelost
We are so excited to be coming! This is gonna be so much fun!
My wife and I just reserved a room!
I am beyond excited about meeting them!
It would be awesome if you got Gerry Conway!
Yes!
This makes me so happy!!
so looking forward to this!
Can’t wait 👍
Okay, folks! This is your chance! How many of us who grew up in the 70s had a fantasy of being in that raft with Will and Holly, and "plunging down a thousand feet below to the Land of the Lost"? Well, I finally got my chance last Summer (see pic), and now YOU CAN TOO! Get your tickets for WonderFest!
My Favorite childhood show!!
Alice Bakara
I can still hear that hissing from those stupid slee stacks
Yea !!!!!!!!!!
GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: CHARLIE BAILEY
To celebrate STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI's 40th anniversary, we've arranged a reunion of several legendary artists! Watch the docu-series LIGHT & MAGIC on Disney+ to see them in action.
CHARLIE BAILEY joined the STAR WARS universe as a model maker for EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. He was a vital part of the miniature and optical effects unit of the groundbreaking ILM (Industrial Light and Magic). His credits quickly grew to include EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI, INDIANA JONES films, THE ROCKETEER, BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy, SPACEBALLS, GALAXY QUEST, and PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN, in addition to many more! Charlie will be sharing stories from his time at ILM at WonderFest. We're so honored to have him!
Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2023 #wonderfesthobbyexpo #jedi40
Clinton Mills
GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: LORNE PETERSON!
To celebrate STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI's 40th anniversary, we've arranged a reunion of several legendary artists! Watch the docu-series LIGHT & MAGIC on Disney+ to see them in action.
LORNE PETERSON is one of the founding members of Industrial Light & Magic. He was hired by George Lucas to help create the models for the first STAR WARS movie in 1975. In 1978, he oversaw the entire production of models for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. His signature is evident on nearly every model used in the original trilogy. Lorne's work is also showcased in the entire STAR WARS saga, JURASSIC PARK, MEN IN BLACK, GALAXY QUEST, and the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films. "Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop" was his first book. Lorne's first WonderFest visit was in 2011. We're glad to have him back!
Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2023 #wonderfesthobbyexpo #jedi40
Damn , I’d love to be at wonderfest this year!!
This is fantastic news!
I am gonna have to see if I can make it this year.
Bangarang
Awesome!!!!
Fantastic!!!!
Awesome!
YESSSS!!!!
Nice!
holy shit!