Third Time's the Charm?
Attending WonderFest 2026
This weekend I attended WonderFest in Louisville for the third time. WonderFest is an amazing convention for model builders with some amazing things to see and do. When it comes to leveling up… I never have really gotten beyond level two (attend a presentation).
My first year I decided to try it out since it was close, I have fond memories of building model airplanes with my Dad growing up, and there was a presentation on the building of the Rocketeer’s jet pack. I was amazed at the wonderful things on display, but leery about diving into another hobby. Especially when I figured out how much model kits and the tools to build and paint them well cost.
I did decide to at least give it a try with a model building challenge they had. The challenge was to kitbash (modify using parts from other kits) the DeLorean from Back to the Future. A specific kit had been chosen and I had an idea and part way through realized I was way over my head. I could envision it, but actually putting it together well… not possible. I ended up just giving up and trashing it.
I did introduce a friend, who is an excellent model maker, to the convention and drove down for a day last year to chat and ogle the stuff people had built. As I talked with other friends who like painting miniatures I bring up WonderFest as something they might consider attending. This year I drove down with another friend who paints miniatures and thought it might be a good fit for him. It’s the 60th anniversary of Star Trek so I was curious to see how model makers might celebrate it.
The convention is held at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville and is in that awkward stage where it’s grown too big for that facility, but isn’t big enough for a larger venue. That and it seems to have been there enough years that people are comfortable with the layout.
The convention has two exhibit halls, one for model vendors and one for guests and overflow. They also use a ballroom for the displays brought in by participants for judging and awards. Other spaces are used for presentations, classes, and other displays. This year they created a reproduction of the original model making workshop used for Star Wars in the 1970’s. Another area housed someone’s collection of Star Trek memorabilia. The hall with guests also contained a collection of items from Lost in Space.
My third year attending I was still amazed at some of the items people had created, but also swear there was a lot more in previous years. (Maybe the economy & gas prices impacted attendance? Maybe it was showing up on Sunday.) Also while this tends to focus on building and painting, the amount of 3D printed things made it less of an “oh wow! How did they do that?” To more of a “great painting”, but just more and more 3D AI stuff. Having done work in CAD I know how difficult it can be, but also how many files are just out there in the web, so I’m not as impressed with some of the builds.
I was asked by my friend how this compared to LEGO shows with repeated displays. I don’t recall seeing too many modelers bringing the same thing each year which is pretty common at LEGO shows. Each model even when it’s the same kit, is unique. While many LEGO builders just bring the same set up each year with only slight modifications. I used to take hundreds of photos at LEGO shows, I think I only took a handful the last show I attended. I did drop the number of photos at WonderFest this year, but I think that was more about quantity of things I was interested in.
Over all for the ticket price, I think I need to either dive into model making or say it’s a nice convention, but not my thing. I like looking at the models, but I’d rather draw than build and paint someone else’s creation. Compared to most conventions I attend or choose not to attend WonderFest isn’t that expensive ($75 for two days $40 for one), but if I’m not interested in building or painting models…
Again, if you are a model builder, I highly recommend attending WonderFest at least once, for me, who knows what the future holds?
Love the photos and creativity!! Thomas the Tie Fighter and the Mad Max Mystery Machine have to be my two favorites!