WONDERFEST 2021

Ok, here is my tale of WF2021 from my own perspective.
For those who do not know, that is me on the right and my daughter on the left.

Got up and moving somewhere around 9. Took my 3 contest entries down. There was a decent wait, seems like there is going to be a good
turn out for the contest too. (ended up with over 700 entries this year)
Went back to the room to eat breakfast then head back for the dealers room to open. Britny was up and ready by the time I went back to the room.
We headed down right around 10 expecting there to be a long line waiting to file in. We were wrong, the line was already gone, and we just walked right in. The room was busy, but not quite as packed as I remember years passed being. I was glad to see there were only a few empty tables knowing there were some of the usually dealers that couldn't make it this year.

First stop was Jimmy Flintstone. Gave his table a quick browse as we walked by, knowing I would be back later for a deeper look.
Basically just looking to see if there were any must-haves that could be gone before I got back. He had the usual bins of shifter knobs, and small bits, but I didn't see many bases. I later confirmed that he didn't have the piles of bases that he usually does. Which was a bit of a bummer as that was one of the things I had hoped to pick up, as I discovered, my stash of bases was almost all dried up
We continued down the row in our usual pattern. Looking things over for any items that we just had to get but not actually stopping at any one table too long until we got to the Black Heart table. I knew from years past that if I didn't grab the mini-busts early, they could be gone later. And it was one of the stops on my must get shopping list. Of course there was a bit of a wait, as it is a very popular table. Especially so soon after room opening. I got the 4 kaiju busts I needed and Brit grabbed one of the Minya busts also. It is her favorite kaiju after all.

Continuing around the room we finally came upon the PL BB table. This was an idea that was supposed to happen in 2020 as a bit of a 20th reunion of members of the old Polar Lights Bulletin Board. Spearheaded by Lisa Greco, and Steve Iverson. It still went on, even though a year late.
Manned by Lisa and set up right next to Cult's tables.

You can see more pics in on the Dealers Room page.  It was pretty cool. So many call-backs to those good old days.
The Yamas Hawg. The Mystery Machine. The fez, and so many other things. Lisa was even giving out goodie bags like in the old days.
Only this time, it was Steve that supplied them. She even had a basket with brownies so everyone could grab one.

Steve had a bunch of cool things as usual, though missing a lot of the normal items. I didn't see any Graveyard Scenes, he forgot the Godzilla bases, didn't have any of the pirates kits. I was also hoping he might have the resin bases for the Gigantics, but he didn't. So, looks like I won't be buying as much as I had planned to from him this year. But we will see on Sunday, which is when I usually spend my money with Steve.

We kind of skipped over the LIS robot display. We saw it last show, and it was still the first pass around the room. Still lots to see, and so many people to say hi to. Atlantis Models were at the show again this year, but sadly it wasn't Pete and Rick manning the table. Which was a bit of a bummer, as I had hoped to say hi and catch up with them a bit. It's been many years since they were last at the show.
Next stop was Monster Dork. Not to buy anything (though I am still eying that Helmo kit). But to say high to Karl, Shannon, and the kids.
Then, over in the corner would be my next purchase of the day. Saw a cool looking resin Godzilla kit sitting on a table with a $100 price tag.
I wasn't sure which kit it was, but it was a good size, with nice detail, and after confirming that it looked like all parts were present I snagged it. Later learned it was the Nagle Stout-a-saurus. A Godzilla concept based on artwork by William Stout and sculpted by Shawn Nagle. Turns out the guy selling it was helping sell of Bill Harrison's collection. So that makes it a bit more special. Bill has been a fixture at WF for years, and I always used to grab some styrene from him every year.

The rest of the first pass is a bit of a blur. I remember stopping to visit with Rob at his table. And saying hi to Rus from Three Kings, the rest just kind of blends. I know after the first pass we were going to the room for a break, snack, and unload. So I stopped and grabbed the Godzilla bust from Jimmy Flintstone. It premiered at the last show, but I only had the cash to grab his Smaug bust. So I was glad to finally add this to my collection. And as a bonus, it was cheaper this year, than at the last show, or on his website! (Britny eventually got one too, which turned out to be the last casting he had at the show)

After a snack and a bit of rest I headed back down, Brit stayed behind. I made my way around Dealer B. Said hi to AT and grabbed a cool
Famous Monsters magnet from him Took some pics of the displays, then headed upstairs as there was a presentation I wanted to catch.

I am pretty sure I have seen every presentation Greg has done at the show since I have been going there. I know the first time I saw him
was like 2003 or 2004, can't remember for sure. Would need to dig out the show program I had him autograph. (one of the few
autographs I have ever asked for anywhere). So I was extremely happy when they announced his return this year. He is always fun.
Full of great stories and behind the scenes information. Not to mention he is also great to party with after hours. He is literally one of us.
He is there to geek out over the kits, and check out the builds in the contest, and have fun with everyone into the wee hours of the morning.

This year's presentation was done with Frank Dietz. They discussed an episode of Creepshow that Frank wrote.
Of course there were some technical difficulties early on trying to play that episode for the audience.

But, after that got sorted out, we got to watch the episode, then they talked about some of the stuff that went into it.
Some behind the scenes about how things work on the show, etc.
All I know is it was tons of fun and time well spent.

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