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: $135 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 2022 GUESTS
Click their names to read about them. All appearances are tentative.
NICHOLAS MEYER
Storyteller: Screenwriter, Director, Author; The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Time After Time, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Day After
FRANK DIETZ
Actor, Writer, Animator, Producer, Director: Creepshow, I Hate Kids, Mary Poppins Returns
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 4th, 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 780 entries in 2021, 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 32nd 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...
FineScale Modeler has some fantastic contest photos posted. Take a look!
WonderFest 2022 scale model contest photo gallery
finescale.com
See photos from the largest sci-fi and fantasy modeling show in the U.S.
Wonderfest weekend 2022 has now passed into history. I wish to thank all of those who chose to attend, some in spite of difficulties. It is without a doubt that it is you, each and everyone of you, that make the show what it is. The friendships, the friendly rivalries, the new attendees and the veterans.
Those of you who did not make it for whatever reason we missed you. We hope you will perhaps see us again in 2023. There are many pictures from the show and we hope you’re enjoying them. However, there is nothing like seeing them in person. The shear power and joy of a record 844 entries has to be experienced in person. We take pride in those who made that happen. But it also speaks to something else. Our hobby is strong! It is not an entity that is dying. From the contest, to the dealers, to the special guests this was a celebration of our genre and our passion. People may wonder why we work so hard on the show, and try to make it an experience that all can enjoy. We are community. It comes from the heart. It comes from love. For all of those who shared that this year, my deepest thanks. For all those who would like to find out what it’s all about, come see us in 2023. We will do our best for you. Come and see how rich our hobby truly is. Share the joy and passion.
My thanks to all of you.
David Hodge
CEO Wonderfest USA
Builder of Models
WONDERFEST 2023, JUNE 10 AND 11
I already booked my PTO at work, no way I’m missing 2 years in a row.
This is the family I look forward to seeing every year.. Thanks for all the fun and magic
The show was great! Last year’s show was too! Thanks for those, as well as the many shows I’ve attended since 1996. Well done to you and the staff of WonderFest USA, Dave!
This was our first WonderFest USA and we had a blast. The show, at least from our perspective, ran as smooth as silk. The staff was friendly, courteous and helpful. First class all the way! Thank you and thank everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes.
Always a fantastic show like anything this large there are always a few bumps, but nothing that would ever deter me from attending. I’ve been to every Wonderfest since the start and I see no reason for that to change. The Wonderfest crew always does a great job.
So lucky to call Louisville my home. I look forward to the Derby every year because the means Wonderfest is just around the corner. Absolutely one of the highlights of my year.
Thank you for all you and your staff do to make this happen…. Much appreciated
I attended Saturday and it was crowded. A good show. I would have liked to see more "how to" seminar sessions. Perhaps next year?
The show was great! Good group of people who run the show and I always enjoy seeing friends and all the show has to offer. Keep up the good work!
Great show! The WonderFest crew did a great job! There’s always gonna be a few hiccups, but overall it ran very smooth!
Thank you Dave, and the vast team behind the show that makes it all possible. This was my first show of any kind since Covid. It was also my first time entering kits into the contest. Seeing old friends again, meeting virtual friends in person, and making new friends is really what it’s all about for me. Experiencing the thrill of having hard work recognized was also really cool! You’ve all earned a good rest. Enjoy, and thanks again. Can’t wait to see you all again next year.
Great show! You guys always make it special, and Nicholas Meyer was an inspired guest!
Thanks to everyone involved in making this year's show happen. Once again making Wonderfest weekend the most anticipated event of year and surpassing expectations once again! Well done Ladies and gentlemen!
Thank you Dave for all you and your crew do to make everything work! Hard to believe anyone could do it better!
Thank you David for your hard work and effort that makes W.F. so special!
Oh, and even though I only stuck around for 2-3 hours, I always enjoy my time here… lucky that I live nearby and then get teased the rest of the year driving by every day
I’m hoping to return next year- it’s been too long!
My first one and I loved it! Will be coming back next year for sure.
This was my first show and it will not be my last. What wonderful artistry there was to see. The craft of model building is not dead and this show proved it!
time to remove the word "extinct" from the shirts and badges and celebrate "it's ALIVE!"
As a vendor said to me, while looking at the crowd, "we all speak the same language." 🙂
Thank you I hope to make it back next year it’s been too long.
It was a great event! Thanks for all the work that goes into putting it on.
Thank you for a great event!
Wonderfest is a family tradition for us, and I’ve practically grown up at the show over 20+ years. Wouldn’t miss it!
As we all return home and relax or get back to our routines, the WonderFest team wishes to thank everyone for being a part of our 2022 show. We broke some records, including a record 844 entries in our Amazing Model Contest. So THANK YOU all for making it so fantastic.
And we also stop and reflect on folks we lost over the last four years--both attendees and guests. You became part of our family. We love you and will never forget you!
#wonderfest2022 #wonderfesthobbyexpo
I felt the love for my dad, Bill, all weekend. So grateful for everyone!
I am going to take a step further and post the photo of one of the Never Forgotten, Gabriel Marquez. Might be good for others to do the same.
Russell Canterbury was such a fine person. We lost a good, good friend.
This image was captured by a friend in Louisville the day after Wonderfest. Probably the longest commute to WF this year.
Bill Early ,the reason l am in the 501st - Sith Lord Detachment . Miss you brother...
Thank you Drew!
Deniese Suttle
WonderFest Friday Classes are well underway! Thanks to all of our sponsors, presenters and participants!
More pre-show fun starts tonight with the TAG Team/Iwata Airbrush Party at 7, and later the Friday Night |WONDERFEST GRINDHOUSE showing of Black Roses with Frank Dietz commentary at 8 pm.
Main show begins Saturday morning. For all the details visit www.wonderfest.com.
The Badger/Black Heart class was great! Lovely bunch of folks, and with guidance I was able to complete this as my first time airbrushing!
Christopher Hays and I went to the Badger/Black Heart class today. We worked on the Death Dealer kit which is an amazing kit! Learned some great techniques, had a lot of fun, and was able to finish the whole kit. It was a joy to get back into a class and to see everyone. Thanks George Stephenson, Jeff Camp, and Gordon Oberman!
Our first time at Wonderfest, we had a great time, thank you to all the friendly people we met who were so eager to share their passion !
On our way now…. from Arcanum, Ohio! So excited! 👏 🤗🎯
Your teaching classes how to airbrush? So can I bring Hotwheels to paint? Cal-Tucky & Cal-Tucky
We enjoyed ourselves at Wonderfest 2022 LLAP
Whether you have Warp Drive or a Warped Driver...good luck on your journey and get here safely!
Last night's rain was crazy