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.

SUNDAY
Considering the hour I went to bed, I woke up surprisingly rested and got down to the show shortly after it opened.

First stop was the contest room. There was not going to be an awards show this year due to the pandemic and the risk of packing so many people into one room. The awards show is a very popular thing, and normally has a bunch of people just standing along the wall in the room it is so full. That being the case, the system this year was going to be they would mark the winning entry forms to note what they were awarded. So that meant you could find out right away if you earned any awards or not.
So, of course, I made a bee-line to my entries to see how they did. I was stunned to see that all 3 of mine had gotten a merit!
Then, as I was going around the room, seeing how others did, and taking more photos, I noticed that every entry form, had some sort of award. So basically, everyone who entered got a certificate of merit. Which explained why I got three. Because honestly, I only thought one of my entries had a long shot of getting a COM. The others were just ok works. I brought them to help support the show and put kits on the table, not because I thought they were actually worthy of anything.
That being said, I did feel that the over-all level of quality in the contest this year was pretty high. And the judging for the medals was pretty spot on. There were a few I wondered what they got knocked down for, but I also didn't go over every inch of them like a judge would.

Next, it was on to the dealers room. As usual, things were much slower on Sunday. This is always the case as Saturday is the big day where people snag those kits they just have to have. Also, a lot of people who can only do one day of the show do Saturday instead of Sunday for obvious reasons.
This is good for those of us that like to take our time and look things over closer, and spend more time visiting and talking to vendors. There are always a few tables that have changing stock. Either stuff that wouldn't fit on the table when the doors opened, or stuff some of the locals brought back with them on day two. I always check those tables a few times a day to see what I can find. On Sunday I also start pawing through the bins under some of the tables. It's also a good time to see if anyone is having a sale. Some vendors would rather take a little less, than pack things up and take them home with them.
So, I went around the room, seeing who still had what. Noting if a few pieces that had caught my eye were still available. Then back to the room for a snack and mull my possible shopping options balanced against the amount of cash left in my wallet.

A few short visits with people on the patio, and in the lobby, then I was going to hit the contest room for more pics, when I discovered they were already letting people take their pieces out of the contest room. A little earlier than I thought was the plan, but understandable as the awards were already decided and known, and people probably had to get back home. So,  moved on to the dealers room, only to find some of the dealers were also packing up early. The PL BB table was empty, which made me sad, as I was hoping to spend some more time visiting and reminiscing there on the slower day. On my earlier pass, Lisa wasn't at the table so I didn't get to visit.
Also noticed that Atlantis had packed up and left. Never did learn who won the Kong test shot they were giving away.
So, I just kind of hung out in the 2 dealers rooms, and outside for a bit, until I could use my coupon at Cult's table. By the time I made my purchase, he had already sold out all his Play It Again Tom kits. But I did grab duplicates of the 2 other Haunted Manor kits for my stash, and 2 of the Supernatural Impala. Will have to wait until one of my preorders with Steve become available and add a few more kits to the order that I couldn't get at the show. That's the thing about Steve, I know I can always get my stuff eventually by mail. It's just nicer to not have to pay the shipping (which is why I waited until the show to get those busts from Black Heart as well).
After that, I swung over to Pestilence Labs. I have been wanting some War of the Gargantuas kits for a long time. But there aren't a lot out there, and what there is, tends to be pricey. I like the subject matter but not that much to spend a ton on. So, I'd been eying his two little dioramas he had on his table. The one has been around for a while since it was comprised of the smaller parts from his big head kits. But the other one, I had never seen before, and liked it a whole lot more than the jumping pose on the other one.
I still had money, and I thought it was a very fair price so I asked if he still had any. He said he only had the display piece but would sell it to me if I wanted it.
I didn't hesitate at all. It's already pinned and ready to go! Hell yeah!
My timing couldn't have been better. While waiting for Mark's wife to return with some bubble wrap for it, Roy Kirchoff came up to the table asking about buying that very same piece. He was a bit saddened by the news but congratulated me on getting it.

After that, it was back to the room to unload and eat some lunch.
Then I grabbed my paperwork and headed down to wait in line to get my kits from the contest.
That wait wasn't too bad. Not compared to the wait to pick up my 3 certificates of merit. The line for picking up awards was much longer and slower.
They had to match up the paperwork and all that fun stuff to make sure everything was right. So, yeah it took considerably longer.
That done, it was time to head back down to get in as much visiting and hanging out as I could.
There are a lot of people that leave as soon as the show is over, so I like to make sure I get a chance to see them before they are gone.

I was surprised to see how many vendors were already broke down, or in the process of breaking down with a little over an hour to go until the show ended.
The next hour flew by pretty fast. Of course, right at the end of the show, there was a massive downpour. It was blowing so bad that almost the whole area under the overhang was soaked. The guys that left early missed it, but the rest of the dealers had to wait for it to pass before they could start loading out from the show.

I went back to the room, shortly after, Britny showed up and we decided what we wanted for dinner that night. Then ran up to Applebees to eat.
After we got back it was time to hang out.

Being Sunday night, meant no Cult-suite as he was in the banquet (which we have yet to attend)
So the lobby it was, and a little bit in the courtyard. We hung out into the morning. Can't remember everyone we saw, or any specifics of the evening really. Just know we had fun.

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