WONDERFEST 2023

WONDERFEST 2023

SATURDAY

Got up early-ish and got my first couple contest entries downstairs around 8:20. I came down from the lobby, and there was a huge line for the contest room. I kept walking down the hall and the line just kept going. It reached almost down to the dealers room door. So I just looped back up around and put my entries back in the room and went out to visit.
While I was outside having a smoke, waiting for the dealers room to open to the general public (early bird was already going on), I looked over and saw Norm from Tested! :-o
I was pretty sure it was him, but not positive so I asked the people I was chatting with. They had no clue what I was talking about. So, after I finished my smoke I walked over and asked him. Told him I was a big fan, and told him I hoped he enjoyed the show.
Soon enough, it was 10 o'clock and time for the dealers room to open. I gave it a little bit to let the line clear and hit room B first. Correctly figuring it would be less crowded.
Checked out all the fun eye-candy on display in there, then went across the hall to the main room.
Wow! It was packed! I could only really skim the room due to the crowds. Only purchase I made on that first lap was the Godzilla bust from Escape Hatch Hobbies, as well as the 1/13 Sleestak.
Took them back to the room. By then it was a little after 11, so I grabbed my first batch of contest entries and headed to the room. The line was much shorter. Got those taken care of and brought the rest down in the next trip.
After that I snacked a bit and went back to the dealers room to have a better look at things.

Saw lots of cool things but didn't find much that was interesting enough to buy. I did stumble across a Revell MOTM Dracula for $15 I couldn't pass up. Keeping with the styrene theme I also grabbed a Revell pirate ship for $10.
And that rounded out my purchases for the day. I was tempted by a few things like the White Wolf from Resin Dust, and a Resin Chef Gigan 72 from Kaiju Modeler, but I held of so I could mull them over until Sunday.
I also thought really hard about the repro Monster Scenes Dracula boxes that Monarch had. But the price was a bit much for my taste.

Took my purchases back to the room and ate some lunch. Then I headed down to check the contest room.
Wow!
Blew the doors off the previous record for entries. 1049 this year. The tables were packed and there was so much cool stuff to look at.
The room was also packed with people. I checked out a couple tables then left to go back to the dealers room. Hung out visiting with some of the dealers.
Then back to check out more of the contest.
I just kept doing that for the rest of the day.

When I finally went back to my room after the show ended, I thought about what I wanted to do for dinner. I had no idea where my daughter was. The Embassy was going to the bowling alley for food.
No one wanted to drive anywhere due to the parking situation.
Oh, just realized. I never mention the hotel is starting renovations again. So the 7th and 8th floors are closed. And a big chunk of the parking in the side lot is blocked off. Couple that with massive turnout for the show and there were no spots to be had. During the show, they filled the overflow lot, the parking lot at the bowling alley, and were parking people across the highway at the site of the old Executive East. So, many people were loath to leave fearing not having a place to park when they got back.
I ended up just eating some of the stuff I brought with me. I had already had a decent lunch with the leftover pizza and garlic bread from the pizza place.

Then it was time to hang at the Embassy. Lots of fun and shenanigans to be had there.
Everyone ended up outside for the group photo.

Then there was the usual after photo socializing until people's drinks ran dry and they returned to whatever room party they were part of.

After that, I headed to the lobby to see if anyone was still there. Then back to the Embassy.
Can't remember what time I called it. 2 or 3. There were still people there and the vibe was good, but I had a nice buzz and figured I would get some decent sleep and feel good for Sunday.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

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