Next ‘Fest: May 30-31, 2020 | Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel
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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 31st 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.
MEET THE 2019 GUESTS
Click their names to read about them.
PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Click an icon to learn more.
Tickets
Sold at the door only.
Adults: $30 for 1-day, $45 for 2-days.
Ages 4 to 12: $10 for 1-day, $15 for 2-days
Age 3 and under free.
Ticket booth hours…
Hotel & Restaurant
Special WonderFest room rates at the Crowne: $124 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…
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, May 30th, 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 823 entries in 2019, it took up the entire ballroom and featured some of the best modeling we’ve ever seen.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
MAY 31 & JUNE 1-2, 2019
| # | Session | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazing Figure Modeler's Model Boot Camp | 9A-5P | Russell Room |
| 2 | Badger / Black Heart Model Finishing Class | 10A-4P | Trimble Room |
| 3 | Garage Kits.US Colors Paintfest | 9A-4P | Perry Room |
| 4 | TAG Team / Iwata Sci-Fi Modeling School | 9A-4P | Madison |
| 5 | Friday Night Welcome Party | 7P-9P | Main Hallway |
| 6 | Friday Night Frights | 10P-? | Theater B |
| # | Session | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEALER ROOMS OPEN | 10A-5P | Dealer A & B |
| 2 | HOW-TO DEMOS | 11A-5P | Elliott, Franklin, Grant |
| 3 | GUEST TALKS | 10A-4:30P | Theaters A & B |
| 4 | CONTEST ENTRIES | 8A-Noon | Coronet |
| 5 | CONTEST VIEWING | Noon-5P | Coronet |
| 6 | RONDO AWARDS | 5P-7P | Theater A |
| 7 | CHILLER CINEMA LIVE | 7:30P-11:30P | Theater B |
| 8 | RoboCon at WonderFest | 10AM-5PM | Dealer A |
| 9 | Make & Take | 11AM-1PM, 2PM-4PM | Elliott Room |
| # | Session | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEALER ROOMS OPEN | 10A-5P | Dealer A & B |
| 2 | HOW-TO DEMOS | 10A-2P | Elliott, Franklin, Grant |
| 3 | CONTEST VIEWING | 10A-3P | Coronet |
| 4 | GUEST TALKS | 10A-3P | Theaters A & B |
| 5 | CONTEST AWARDS CEREMONY | 3P-4P | Theater B |
| 6 | ROBOCON AT WONDERFEST | 10AM-5PM | Dealer A |
| 7 | WONDERFEST WRAP PARTY | 7:30P-9:30P | Theater A |
MUST-SEE PROGRAMMING
Click an icon to learn more.
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
5pm 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…
HIGHLIGHTS FROM WONDERFEST 2018
Click image to open a slideshow.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
They help make this event possible!
WONDERFEST LATEST NEWS
From our Facebook feed...
Hey WonderFesters! Look at what Amazing Figure Modeler has going on!Calling all modelers! Please feel free to share this across media platforms and with any modeling boards where you think this could be of interest!
It's time to have a little fun and show the world what you've got by submitting your work in article form for inclusion in a SPECIAL EDITION issue of Amazing Figure Modeler magazine!
Holy Cow, you read that right! You could get published in a future issue of AFM and be "large and in charge" by simply writing and photographing your latest modeling masterpiece. We plan to pick the most inspiring group of entries and then roll them all into one awesomely cool issue: "Reader's Choice!"
So whadda 'ya say folks, tired of seeing your modeling knowledge going to waste and not getting the props you deserve? Know something we don't? Want to see yourself in print? Then get to tappin' on that keyboard and let everyone know how it's done with a "How-To" modeling article on your favorite kit and we'll and take it from there.
What you choose to model is entirely up to you. AFM welcomes all artistic endeavors that are within reason in capturing the dynamics of your work. We want to see all types of subject matter. It doesn't matter if it's a bust, figure, genre-related vehicle, diorama, kit conversion or bash, custom or even a 1:1 scale modeling project, all options are on the table. It can be anything from an original life-size sculpture to a miniature figure or bust. We're casting our nets far and wide on this kit safari so buckle up all you Jungle Jims and Janes! The best submissions will be chosen by our staff to be featured in the "Reader's Choice" issue and naturally, the most impressive entry will be emblazoned on the cover of a future issue of AFM! If you don't make the final cut, never fear; submissions can still make publication in future issues; depending on the quality of articles, a reader's column could become an ongoing new column feature in the magazine!
Now before you go off rushing to start your award winning entry, keep in mind everyone has until the end of the year, Dec. 31st, 2019, to get us his or her submissions. Please read all applicable rules, technical requirements and article parameters at www.amazingmodeler.com before you begin.
So, what are you waiting for? We here at AFM know our readers are the caliber of modelers that have the mad skills we're looking to showcase! Just imagine the rewards once you're published and hit the big time. You'll be the toast of the town, a hit with the Ladies or Lads and naturally, the scourge of all your enemies! Above of all, your work will be recorded for posterity, spread across time and space for all to see in AFM's first-ever "Reader's Choice" special edition. Good luck to all; we're looking forward to seeing everyone's creative work, so…Ready, Set, Model!
www.amazingmodeler.com
Just to clarify you don't mean a build article, just a completed model with pictures and description?
And so it has begun 2020 ..............
any way we can get Ken Palkow and his cohort from SKS Props to do a day-long class on Friday? these guys are awesome!!
ready to book my room for next year so hurry up! 😉
Next year my husband turns 50, and his birthday is usually with in a day of Wonderfest. I want to have a party for him. Or at least celebrate his Birthday at wonderfest.
I’m ready to book, let’s do this!
"So let it be written, so let it be done".
Can we move it along? SOme of us are jonesing
Can we just make it last a whole week? This past WF FLEW BY!
Im just glad the show is not the same weekend my son graduates
We've posted our list of the 2019 Amazing Model Contest Winners! Thanks and congratulations to all the entrants and winners!
wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/contest/past-winners-archive/2019-winners/#
Congratulations to all. I had a wonderful time
Looking forward to next year!!!
Congratulations to the winners
Does anyone have a picture of the Teen entries? Looking for a picture of the Mary Shelly Frankenstein that won 'Best Teen'
I had no idea I won a bronze! Cool!
Had a great time!
Cal has some pictures I will help get them to you Rob
Incredible things happen at this show! So many great people.
So much fun and comradeship. And then someone really
shows you that the effort matters. Ken Palkow, a master at
Prop construction and weapons gifted me a pair of castings
of Ryan Reynolds Desert Eagles from Deadpool 2. It was truly a grand gesture. What a memory of the 30th!
That’s awesome!
Great presentation
What a great gift!
Awesome!!!!
Dose Ken have a Facebook or web page? Found him but not his prop page? Saw him at Wonderfest, cool stuff.
Good luck at the airport!
SMILE! 😀
Very cool
Kens work is out standing
Sooooooooo jealous.
TONIGHT! The 30th Anniversary Wrap Party at 7:30pm! Kick back and celebrate the close of an incredible WonderFest weekend. Choose to eat at the event ala carte, take advantage of the cash bar, or just come for the fun programming! It’s a chance to hang with friends before everyone heads home for another year.
After dinner, comedian Sean Keller will bring lightsabers and laughs with a 15-minute excerpt from “I-VIII: A One Man Show” based on a certain space opera we all know and love.
Then WonderFest CEO Dave Hodge and crew will present some WonderFest 30th anniversary tributes and door prizes.
We’ll close the evening with “The CliffNotes of Insanity: The Princess Bride in 30 Minutes or Less” presented by Ray Robinson in association with The Actors of Unusual Size and Company OutCast. Its a hilarious take on a classic filled with memorable lines and laughs. “Have fun storming the castle!”
Tickets are just $9 per person, sold at Admissions and at the door. Food and drink sold separately.
See what's happening after hours every night of WonderFest on our website:
wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/programming/
