DAYTIME / AFTER-HOURS
There's always too much to do at WonderFest!
The days are packed with events. Once the show closes at 5, we fill the nights with fun events, too. Don’t miss out!
Click a topic to expand the description.
DAYTIME
Our Friday workshops are separately ticketed and are run by their various sponsors. They are a great opportunity to learn in-depth modeling skills from masters of the craft.
Amazing Figure Modeler’s Model Boot Camp
Come for the instruction, leave with the knowledge!
This class will run from 9am to 5pm on Friday May 29th. The main focus will be translating two-dimensional painting effects onto a three-dimensional bust. Students will receive the bust and paints! In addition, students receive a free four-issue subscription to AFM! Seating is limited.
Details, including how to sign up, still to come…
This is a separately ticketed event.
Badger/Black Heart Airbrushing and Model Finishing Class
Spend a day learning to paint on a fantastic work of art!
Registration will open in early January.
The class will be limited to 20 participants.
Details, including how to sign up, still to come…
This is a separately ticketed event.
Garage Kits.US Colors Paintfest Class at WonderFest 2020
Every year this class focuses on painting a cool figure.
The class will be held on Friday, May 9th, from 9am to 4pm.
Details, including how to sign up, still to come…
This is a separately ticketed event.
Sci-Fi Modeling School
Learn airbrushing techniques at our hands-on classes!
TAG Team Hobbies and Iwata-Medea are teaming up to bring you you SCI-FI MODELING SCHOOL “Episode III: Return of the Rebels” at WonderFest 2019!
It’s a day-long workshop on Friday, May 29th, from 9am-4pm.
Limited to the first 12 paid students.
Details, including how to sign up, still to come…
This is a separately ticketed event.
Two great Dealer’s Rooms, open 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dealers from around the world will be set up at more than 160 tables.
Early Bird tickets are available to get in two hours early on Saturday morning. See the Admissions booth.
Guest Talks, Panels, and More!
Our celebrity guests will participate in talks and panels to share their very entertaining stories. All topics and times listed are tentative and subject to change. Check the purple Pocket Guide when you arrive at the Admissions booth.
Details to come closer to the show date.
Learn modeling techniques from other great modelers. Because the FUN is BUILDING!
WonderFest continues our commitment to the art of model making with an expanded demo lineup!
Figure and Hardware demos: These presentations by modelers change every year and usually last from 30 minutes to an hour, (or even two). They’re planned to focus on major modeling topics and skills demonstrations. Some will allow the viewers to go hands-on and try the techniques shown.
List of demos and times to come closer to the show date.
Airbrush 101: During WonderFest weekend, sign up for one of six FREE 75-minute, hands-on classes (limit 12 students each class), staged and sponsored by Iwata. They’re offered 3 times each day of the show. No charge for WonderFest attendees. >>Follow this email link to sign up.
Props, monsters, art and costumes
…And the stuff that (scary) dreams are made of!
Every year the WonderFest exhibits keep getting better, thanks to friends throughout the hobby.
The Star Wars Sketchbook Challenge
It’s a fantastic new display coming to WonderFest 2019! Here’s what it’s all about, according to organizer Jason Eaton:
“Last year, during a get together, Bill George leveled a challenge to create a model using a production sketch from Joe Johnston. Before you could say “close the blast doors!” we had concocted a Sketchbook Challenge, where people would pick a sketch, with the goal of making a model to display at this year’s WonderFest. I thought it was a perfect idea, because like so many others, I spent many a day pouring over those three Star Wars Sketchbooks that were published, trying to mimic Joe Johnston’s style. What better way to channel those dreams than to build a model using those guides? It’s practically what an ILMer would have done, during the production! We hope you enjoy the display, and encourage you to try your hand at it some time!”
Kogar’s Korner
Our annual exhibit tables in Dealer Room B, inspired by the collection of Bob Burns!
Thanks to collector Tony Hardy and his talented friends, Kogar’s Korner is celebrating the 40th anniversaries of ALIEN and Gerry Anderson’s UFO TV series. There will be plenty of eye candy on display.
Plus…big displays are coming from modelmakers Jason Eaton, Bill George, and others!
The displays just keep getting better!
Two ways to win & help others
Every year at WonderFest there’s a Raffle and Silent Auction to benefit worthwhile charities.
Open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
This incredible effort has raised more than $22,000–while hobbyists have taken home startling goodies–thanks to the generosity of many donors and friends of WonderFest.
About our Charities:
For the RAFFLE:
WHAS Crusade for Children, P.O. Box 1100, Louisville, KY 40201
Established in 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has collected more than $160 million and has helped over one million physically or mentally handicapped children in Kentucky and Indiana. Money collected helps fund new medical equipment, teachers, therapists, laboratories, computers, speech training and much, much more. The WHAS Crusade for Children is a 501-c (3) non-profit organization.
For the SILENT AUCTION:
Floyd County Animal Rescue League, P.O. Box 285, New Albany IN 47151
The Floyd County Animal Rescue League is a non-profit local grassroots animal welfare organization dedicated to reducing the number of homeless animals. The group also educates the community in the humane treatment of animals—as well as responsible and enjoyable pet ownership.
We are an organization that assists and supports the NAFC Animal Shelter, and works to reduce the number of unwanted animals in Floyd County. This year there’s a greater need than ever due to the current economy. The Floyd County Animal Rescue League is a non-profit 501-c (3) organization.
Paint a model and keep it!
In the free Make-It & Take-It Workshop, kids age 16 and under can learn how to paint a model—and then take it home.
Open 11 a.m.–1 p.m. & 2-4 p.m. Saturday-only in the Elliott Room
This workshop is a great place for beginners to try model painting without fear. Best of all, it’s free! First-time modelers age 16 and under can learn to paint a model using acrylic paints—with help from a crew of patient and experienced volunteers—and then take the finished model home!
Thanks to our sponsor, Black Heart Models for providing small resin busts this year! And to Kaiju Modeler and WonderFest for supplying paint, brushes, and hairdryers to speed the process.
There’s no better way to bring a new generation into our fantastic hobby!
AFTER-HOURS
7pm – 9pm in the Main Hallway!
Say Hello to WonderFest 2019!
Join us as we s-p-r-e-a-d out the Friday night ‘Fest fun with a meet & greet party in the Crowne Plaza’s main convention hallway — with preview displays and special sponsor presentation rooms! Pick up a drink in the hotel bar, meet your modeling friends or online contacts and celebrate “WonderFest Eve” for 2019!
Sponsored by WonderFest USA!
7pm – 10pm in the Madison Room!
Meet and Greet!
- Test Drive Iwata Airbrushes and Compressors.
- Talk with experienced Iwata representatives.
- Meet Iwata artists and see some of their work.
Sponsored by TAG Team Hobbies and Iwata Airbrush!
Friday at 10 p.m. in the upstairs Theater B…
Friday Night Frights!
Details to come…
Fan-voted and presented at WonderFest!
Saturday, 5 p.m. in Upstairs Theater A
The Rondos are fandom’s only classic horror awards decided by fans, for fans! We’re happy to welcome David Colton and company back to WonderFest for their live awards presentation for the best in print, film, web, art, media, toys and models… in short, just about everything that makes our monstrous world go ’round! Help celebrate their 15th anniversary!
So make a date with Rondo for Saturday evening at 5 p.m. in Upstairs Theater A to celebrate.
Learn more about the much-coveted acromegalics at www.rondoaward.com.
5:45 till 10 p.m. – FREE for WonderFest attendees
Are you an IRON MODELER?
What is Iron Modeler? Well, have you ever seen the “Iron Chef” show on the Food Network? It’s like that, but with models. Eight 3-person teams are given a “base item” (could be a kit, could be a random item), a big pile of parts, greeblies and assorted castaway household items, and 4 hours to build the best model they can out of what they’ve got.
A spray booth and paints are provided as well, but teams need to bring any glue or tools. At the end of four hours, the models are judged by and the Iron Modeler champion team is crowned, giving them bragging rights for the next year. Oh, and there’s prizes too.
Official start time is 6pm, but you can arrive any time after 5:30 to setup your table. Teams should arrive no later than 5:45. If your team is not there by the 6pm start time, another team will your place.
It’s competitive fun! Sponsors to be announced!
Starts at 7:30 p.m. in Theater B
Saturday Night’s Chiller Cinema Live!
Details still to come!
Sunday Night June 2nd
7:30 p.m. at the hotel:
WonderFest 2020 Wrap Party!
Friends, food and drink, plus exclusive programming! Details to come!
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.
The Wrap Party ticket price is only $9 by keeping the food and drink ala carte.
Plus a cash bar.
Tickets are just $9 per person, sold at Admissions and at the door.
Food and drink sold separately.