WonderFest Hobby Expo

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Educational Family Friendly Q&A

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Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr, an IHG Hotel, Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY, USA

Fri, May 31st 9:00AM - 5:00PM ESTSat, Jun 1st 10:00AM - 5:00PM ESTSun, Jun 2nd 10:00AM - 5:00PM EST

Overview

WonderFest is a weekend of wonder and hobby escape that’s been held every summer in Louisville since 1990!

Now in its 34th year, the convention 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 modeling skills for hobbyists of all ages!

Some of the 2024 guests include:

JOE DANTE, Director: Gremlins, Piranha, The Howling, Explorers, Innerspace, Small Soldiers, The 'Burbs
VANESSA HARRYHAUSEN, Daughter of Ray Harryhausen: Author, illustrator and Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation
BELINDA BALASKI, Artist, writer & actress: Piranha, The Howling, Gremlins 1 & 2, Matinee, Food of the Gods
FON DAVIS, Production designer, modelmaker: Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline
ROB WIETHOFF, Voice actor, producer: Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2
CHERYL SPARKS, Huey drone performer in Silent Running
NICK TATE, Actor: SPACE: 1999, Lost, Pretty Little Liars, The Devil's Playground, The Blacklist
FRANK DIETZ, Actor, Writer, Animator, Producer, Director: Creepshow, I Hate Kids, Black Roses, Zombie Nightmare
JOHN EAVES, Production Illustrator: Star Trek Picard, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and 3, WandaVision, Loki
DAREN DOCHTERMAN, Concept Artist, Visual Effects, Art Direction: Star Trek Picard, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Independence Day: Resurgence, Passengers, and Star Trek Beyond
RICK STERNBACH, Designer: Star Trek TMP, Voyager, DS9, Last Starfighter
WILLIAM STOUT, Paleo Artist & Production Design: Return of the Living Dead
And more!

The convention features two dealer rooms, where dealers from around the world will be set up at more than 160 tables. The 501st Legion – Bluegrass Garrison add a distinctively Star Wars presence and life-size element amid all the model-scale ones on display. You’ve seen the 501st on the Mandalorian series, and they will be collecting donations for Norton Children’s Hospital.

Exhibits will include props, monsters, art and costumes…and the stuff that (scary) dreams are made of! Inspired by the collection of Bob Burns, and thanks to collector Tony Hardy and his talented friends, Kogar’s Korner will have plenty of eye candy on display.

And every year at WonderFest there’s a raffle and silent auction to benefit worthwhile charities. 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.

Amenities

How to Demos – Learn techniques from other great modelers! Demos last from 30 minutes to an hour. Become a better modeler!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.The Rondo Awards – Fandom’s only classic horror awards — decided by fans. Recognize the best in print, film, web, art, media, toys and models!Sunday Wrap Party – Celebrate the end of the show with exclusive programming! Optional a la carte food and cash bar.

What to Expect

Date: Fri, May 31st

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm EST

Pre-Show Workshops
Badger/Black Heart Airbrushing & Model Finishing Class

Spend a day learning to paint on a fantastic work of art! Register now for the BlackHeart/Badger model airbrushing class at WonderFest 2024.

The painting subject for the class will be Black Heart’s 1:3 scale Werewolf…13 inches of lycanthropic fury… sculpted by Joe Simon. The headliners for the class will again be Gordon Oberman and Jeff Camp. The class will be limited to the first 24 folks to register and will use Badger Air-brush products that will be provided to all participants.

AFM Model Boot Camp

Hey Modelers, are you ready to get small this year? As in small scale micro-modeling? Well, we are, and we’re proud to announce AFM’s all-new Mummy Diorama Class! The Mummy Lives, and you could be the one to bring him to life! Small scale modeling requires specialized techniques and this comprehensive class will teach an impressive array of modeling challenges unlike any training seminar before it!

Going Beyond the Kit: Enhance Your Build Using Blender 3D & 3D Printing

Quickly get up to speed with Blender 3D! Stephen Burns has confirmed there will be a class for 2024 – check the WF website for more info.

Date: Sat, Jun 1st

Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm EST

Guest Presentations & How-To Demos

Guest Presentations

Every year industry guests do presentations, participate in panel discussions, and do audience Q&As!

A schedule will be posted in the days leading up to the show.

How-To Demos for Figure and Hardware Modelers

These FREE presentations by modelers change every year and usually last from 30 minutes to an hour, (or even two). Focus is on major topics and skills demonstrations. Some will allow the viewers to go hands-on and try the techniques shown.