Why is Wonderfest Held Where It Is Every Year?

[scuzzfink85]

Curious since a big show why isn't held elsewhere in the Us?

[JJCap1]

They grew it. It's theirs. I believe it started as a small local show. With careful nurturing, hard work and dedication it has grown to what it is.

[scuzzfink85]

Sad California gets nothing but few model kits swampmeets
a year there are special effect shows but no model contests..
That kind thing is dead here..

[Zeiram]

LA has had several shows over the years, but they weren't well supported by attendees or vendors. If the show isn't profitable it won't continue. Monsterpalooza is the closest thing to a model show in SoCal anymore.

[Brent]

Several people fly in for Wonderfest from Europe and Asia, so California shouldn't be too far to make the trip.

[ShaneM]

Takes me almost a day to drive down. This will be my 11th or 12th year. Once you've been you will always go back.

[Jesse321]

Several people fly in for Wonderfest from Europe and Asia, so California shouldn't be too far to make the trip.

That would constitute an effort to be made rather than just complaining about it.

[jumpman]

As Jim said they started it in Louisville and built it up. Jerseyfest started as a get together in a basement and grew into a show.

Mad Model Party tried to get up and running again in CA but could not get enough Vendor support and recently made the decision to not go forward.

Non-producers also do not understand the cost and time involved in getting ready for a show like WF. Being Northeast based even WF is a major commitment. That being said I have been to Monsterpalooza a few times and really enjoy it and may next April try and get a table.

Just my .02

[shakey dave 187]

Several people fly in for Wonderfest from Europe and Asia, so California shouldn't be too far to make the trip.

That would constitute and effort to be made rather than just complaining about it.

Lmao !!!!! It's funny cuz it's true!!! :p

[resin addict]

As Jim said they started it in Louisville and built it up. Jerseyfest started as a get together in a basement and grew into a show.

Mad Model Party tried to get up and running again in CA but could not get enough Vendor support and recently made the decision to not go forward.

Non-producers also do not understand the cost and time involved in getting ready for a show like WF. Being Northeast based even WF is a major commitment. That being said I have been to Monsterpalooza a few times and really enjoy it and may next April try and get a table.

Just my .02

To make it even more clear...when Jim refers to "they", "they" are a bunch of local modelers who all live in the Louisville area, simply put, it would be impossible for any of these local people to organize a show anywhere else rather than locally in Louisville.
I notice the original poster lives in L.A., that would be like asking him to organize a model show, but locate it in Chicago...it just wouldn't work.

[Brent]

Several people fly in for Wonderfest from Europe and Asia, so California shouldn't be too far to make the trip.

That would constitute and effort to be made rather than just complaining about it.

Lmao !!!!! It's funny cuz it's true!!! :p

Forum translation services by Jesse and Dave available at no extra charge.

I was trying to be nice, but yeah, you guys nailed it.

[sivousplay]

Inspired by Jersey Fest, there's a group of us in Portland, OR who are trying to get a "show" going. So far, we've had 6 "quarterly" gatherings ... most recent one (a few weeks ago) had 15-20 attendees. Not ready to transition from swap meet to show yet, but we're getting there.

jim

[Buc Wheat]

sadly... Callie has had many opportunities and yet no one showed up.

[Jonas Calhoun]

I kind of like it in Louisville, it's a little tougher to fly into, and that makes it a smaller show. I think that kind of reflects on the quality--the people there had to work a bit to get there, and it shows in the quality of both the people and the entries it attracts. It has always felt like a gathering of friends that happens to have a model show around it, and I like that. Think of how expensive it would be if it were in Chicago, and it had to pay for Chicago prices of a venue as well...

That said, our club has put in a show for the last 6 years in Denver, and while we've always ended up in the black, it's not easy. I know what it takes to put on a show. Ours has grown each year, and will continue to. But WF is what we want to model our show after.

Dan

[scuzzfink85]

At least I got go all but two Mad Model Parties..
Yeah, no flying or driving that far of distance..

[wolfy 1961]

I have been there from the Uk five times,
many overseas hobbyists travel at far greater cost than an internal flight,
so as Jesse said stop whining, get of your arse, and make the effort like the rest of us.

[Buc Wheat]

lol... well said.


But don't ever forget: a whining modeler is a happy modeler!!!

[wolfy 1961]

very true shippy,
but when they just whine and dont appear to do much modeling
they come across as pain in the arses,

[centaur1]

Regardless of where it is, I am just glad and thankful that it thrives and continues

And best of luck to the other shows that are going strong and growing


I applaud the organizers, supporters and contributors to of all of the shows

This is such a focused, small, niche hobby, I can't help but be amazed at the success wonderfest has had and continues to enjoy

[PROFESSOR JARROD]

Several people fly in for Wonderfest from Europe and Asia, so California shouldn't be too far to make the trip.

The last time my wife and I attended Wonderfest was in 2012, the round trip to and from Washington State to the show in Kentucky cost us $1200.00 and that didn't include room and board, I imagine it would cost allot more today.
Then of course there was the added expense of the kits we purchased.
"All in All," it cost us about $2500.00 for the three days we were at Wonderfest.
It would be nice to have a good model convention a bit closer to home.

Rick