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Next ‘Fest: June 1-2, 2024 | Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel

WonderFest 2024, June 1 & 2

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PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Click an icon to learn more.

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Tickets

Sold at the door only.
Adults: $36 for 1-day, $50 for 2-days.
Ages 4 to 12: $13 for 1-day, $20 for 2-days
Age 3 and under free.
Ticket booth hours…

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Hotel & Restaurant

Special WonderFest room rate at the Crowne: $142 per night! It’s convenient to stay in our show hotel with an award-winning restaurant
Reserve a room online…

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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 2024 GUESTS

Guests will sign autographs at their table or at posted times!

VANESSA HARRYHAUSEN

VANESSA HARRYHAUSEN

Daughter of Ray Harryhausen: Author, illustrator and Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation

CONNOR HEANEY

CONNOR HEANEY

Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation’s Collections Manager

JOE DANTE

JOE DANTE

Director: Gremlins, Piranha, The Howling, Explorers, Innerspace, Small Soldiers, The 'Burbs

BELINDA BALASKI

BELINDA BALASKI

Artist, writer & actress: Piranha, The Howling, Gremlins 1 & 2, Matinee, Food of the Gods

GREG NICOTERO

GREG NICOTERO

Director, Producer, Makeup: Creepshow, Walking Dead, Evil Dead

FON DAVIS

FON DAVIS

Production designer, modelmaker: Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline

ROB WIETHOFF

ROB WIETHOFF

Voice actor, producer: Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2

CHERYL SPARKS

CHERYL SPARKS

Huey drone performer in Silent Running

NICK TATE

NICK TATE

Actor: SPACE: 1999, Lost, Pretty Little Liars, The Devil's Playground, The Blacklist

JEFFREY MORRIS

JEFFREY MORRIS

Writer, director, designer; The Eagle Obsession

FRANK DIETZ

FRANK DIETZ

Actor, Writer, Animator, Producer, Director: Creepshow, I Hate Kids, Black Roses, Zombie Nightmare

JOHN EAVES

JOHN EAVES

Production Illustrator, Star Trek Picard, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and 3, WandaVision, Loki

DAREN DOCHTERMAN

DAREN DOCHTERMAN

Concept Artist, Visual Effects, Art Direction

RICK STERNBACH

RICK STERNBACH

Designer, Star Trek TMP, Voyager, DS9, Last Starfighter

SAM IRVIN

SAM IRVIN

Director: Elvira's Haunted Hills; Author: The Epic Saga Behind 'Frankenstein: The True Story'

WILLIAM STOUT

WILLIAM STOUT

Paleo Artist & Production Design, Return of the Living Dead

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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 1st, from 8 a.m. ’til Noon

  • $15.00 per first 2 models for adults, up to 8 additional entries free
  • $10.00 per first 2 models for teens, up to 8 add’l entries free (ages 13-19)
  • Free for ages 12 & under

With over 1,049 entries in 2023, it filled an entire ballroom and featured some of the best modeling we’ve ever seen.

MUST-SEE PROGRAMMING

Click an icon to learn more.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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 34th 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!

AFM logo
CultTVman logo
Round 2 logo
Black Heart logo
Starship Modeler logo
Monarch Models logo
FineScale Modeler logo
Iwata logo
Badger Airbrush logo
Squadron logo
Star Ace Toys logo
Aztec Dummy Productions logo
Jimmy Flintstone Studio
ParaGraphix logo
Nic & Norman's logo

WONDERFEST LATEST NEWS

From our Facebook feed...

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GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: JEFFREY MORRIS

Jeffrey Morris returns to WonderFest to discuss his feature length documentary, THE EAGLE OBSESSION. Join the exploration of a fascinating cultural phenomenon. The legacy of the Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999 reflects the dreams of a generation. It also embodies a nostalgia for a future that never occurred, yet still resonates today. THE EAGLE OBSESSION is a visually stunning feature-length documentary that follows sci-fi creator Jeffrey Morris as he investigates the origins of the iconic vessel and the ongoing global impact of a unique moment in human history—when people walked on the Moon.

Jeffrey will be joined at WonderFest by actor Nick Tate (“Alan Carter” on Space: 1999) as well as several members of the documentary production crew. Jeffrey’s appearance is sponsored by the Space: 1999 Props & Ships Facebook Group.

Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2024 #jeffreymorris #theeagleobsession #wonderfesthobbyexpo
... See MoreSee Less

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: JEFFREY MORRIS

Jeffrey Morris returns to WonderFest to discuss his feature length documentary, THE EAGLE OBSESSION. Join the exploration of a fascinating cultural phenomenon. The legacy of the Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999 reflects the dreams of a generation. It also embodies a nostalgia for a future that never occurred, yet still resonates today. THE EAGLE OBSESSION is a visually stunning feature-length documentary that follows sci-fi creator Jeffrey Morris as he investigates the origins of the iconic vessel and the ongoing global impact of a unique moment in human history—when people walked on the Moon.
 
Jeffrey will be joined at WonderFest by actor Nick Tate (“Alan Carter” on Space: 1999) as well as several members of the documentary production crew. Jeffrey’s appearance is sponsored by the Space: 1999 Props & Ships Facebook Group. 

Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2024 #jeffreymorris #theeagleobsession #wonderfesthobbyexpo

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: CONNOR HEANEY

Connor Heaney is the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation’s Collections Manager and deals with the day-to-day care of Ray’s archive. You might say he's the keeper of the creatures! His responsibilities include the cataloging, digitization and conservation of the collection, as well as promoting the awareness of Ray’s work and legacy through worldwide exhibitions and events.

Connor Heaney’s appearance is sponsored by CultTVman, along with Squadron, Aztek Dummy, Monarch Models, Jimmy Flintstone Studio, and ParaGrafix.

Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2024 #rayanddianaharryhausenfoundation #RayHarryhausen #wonderfesthobbyexpo
... See MoreSee Less

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT: CONNOR HEANEY

Connor Heaney is the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation’s Collections Manager and deals with the day-to-day care of Ray’s archive. You might say hes the keeper of the creatures! His responsibilities include the cataloging, digitization and conservation of the collection, as well as promoting the awareness of Ray’s work and legacy through worldwide exhibitions and events.

Connor Heaney’s appearance is sponsored by CultTVman, along with Squadron, Aztek Dummy, Monarch Models, Jimmy Flintstone Studio, and ParaGrafix.

Find show details at: www.wonderfest.com
#wonderfest2024 #rayanddianaharryhausenfoundation #RayHarryhausen #wonderfesthobbyexpo

Yes! We will have a special award for the Best Ray Harryhausen Inspired Model. Your entry could be something from Ray's movies--or an original that's Harryhausen-esque.

How could we not do this with having Vanessa Harryhausen and Connor Heaney from the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation as special guests?

We'll have celebrity judges for this one. Read up about the contest here:
www.wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/contest/
... See MoreSee Less

Yes! We will have a special award for the Best Ray Harryhausen Inspired Model. Your entry could be something from Rays movies--or an original thats Harryhausen-esque.

How could we not do this with having Vanessa Harryhausen and Connor Heaney from the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation as special guests?

Well have celebrity judges for this one. Read up about the contest here: 
https://www.wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/contest/

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Very cool!

We're extending the deadline 5 more days! We need more figure demo presenters especially! Please send in a proposal...If you're a WonderFest regular, you know that we always offer FREE HOW-TO DEMONSTRATIONS all weekend long. We do it to share great techniques and help anyone become a better model maker!

This year we're looking for some new demo presenters to add to our talented veterans. If you have a technique you think other modelers will want to hear about--and can present it in 45 minutes or less--bring it on!

Our demo coordinators will review the proposals and choose the ones we can fit in this year.

Here's a special webpage with the details and form you can use to send in your idea:

www.wonderfest.com/demo-presenters-needed/
... See MoreSee Less

Were extending the deadline 5 more days! We need more figure demo presenters especially! Please send in a proposal...

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

who do I need to contact to offer a demo for the show?

Someone do a demo on painting eyes please!

Gabino Gonzalez Christopher MacDougald

As of April 8th, only two of our Friday Pre-Show Workshops still have seats left! BUT there's still time to get in!

One is AFM's Model Boot Camp, taught by by Dave Prosser, where you'll learn techniques for painting a gorgeous Mummy diorama and then take it home!

The other is a beginner class on 3D Modeling for 3D Printing taught by experienced instructor and 3D wizard, Stephen Burns.

Learn how to sign up on our website's Programming page:
www.wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/programming/
... See MoreSee Less

As of April 8th, only two of our Friday Pre-Show Workshops still have seats left! BUT theres still time to get in! 

One is AFMs Model Boot Camp, taught by by Dave Prosser, where youll learn techniques for painting a gorgeous Mummy diorama and then take it home!

The other is a beginner class on 3D Modeling for 3D Printing taught by experienced instructor and 3D wizard, Stephen Burns.

Learn how to sign up on our websites Programming page:
https://www.wonderfest.com/upcoming-show/programming/
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GOT QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!