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It's impossible to convey how wonderful last weekend was in Louisville at the 20th Anniversary WonderFest convention.

The Rondo ceremony, which was highlighted by several tearful moments and a standing ovation for Joe Moe, the Monster Kid of the Year, was warm and friendly and at times emotional. We hope the photographs below will help capture just a small part of the weekiend.

The Rondo ceremony was marked by a half-dozen video acceptances, which we hope to post on Youtube at some point.

Among the videos were offerings from Svengoolie; Jeffrey Schwarz of SPINE-TINGLER, The William Castle Story; Arnold Kunert and John Paul Sosas of the Ray Harryhausen Collector's Set; Dr. Gangrene (who was attending his son's graduation and couldn't be there); Joe Dante (redux), for Trailers from Hell; and the folks at Rue Morgue Radio.

The ceremony was attended by several hundred people, and there were moments we all will never forget.

The photos below are by the inimitable Eileen Colton of CHFB News:

2009 Rondo Hatton Awards Ceremony at WonderFest



More Rondos than there are in heaven: As ceremony begins, the statuettes
wait patiently. Including this year, we have given out more than 120 Rondo
busts over the past seven years. Many thanks to our tireless master caster,
Tim Lindsey.




Oh nurse! For the third straight year, our co-host was Nashville TV
personality Nurse Moan-Eek, who acknowledges the applause.




Where's doc? The nurse explains that Dr. Gangrene could not attend
because he's at his son's high school graduation. I laughingly question
his choice. But congrats to the entire Underwood clan!



Green room: As the ceremony begins, Donna Lucas, right, sees to a strange
Portuguese visitor and Sara Lattis, aka the Saramonster, a "superior woman"
who was to serve as his translator.




Bob wins again: Multiple Rondo-winner Bob Burns thanks the crowd
on behalf of everyone -- Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Rick Baker,
Brent Armstrong and producer Constantine Nasr -- who contributed
along with Bob to the 'Best Commentary' for THE MUMMY (1932).
Said Bob: 'This is the Academy Award for Monster Kids.'





Capturing it all: Bob's wife, Kathy, records Bob's acceptance speech.
Bob also accepted on behalf of Best CD producer David Schecter, and
demanded that FRANKENSTEIN 1970's soundtrack be released!




Coffin Ray returns! Speaking in impeccable Portuguese which is
translated by Sara, Ray Castile praises the 'superior' work by
RUE MORGUE Editor Jovanka Vuckovic for her 'Best Article' on the
life of Brazilian horror star Coffin Joe.




Grim warning: Emphasizing the point, Coffin Ray says, 'and now I will
place a curse on all those who voted for an inferior magazine. Their
skeletons will come to life inside them.'

(For more of Ray's work, check out The Blind Date of Coffin Joe on
Youtube).



Jovanka: The unforgettable Ms. Vuckovic holds the first of four
Rondos RUE MORGUE Magazine would take home in Louisville.




'Superior' women: The group poses, Coffin Ray perhaps thinking
his search for the perfect woman has ended. For now.




Oh, you Monster Kid! For anyone wondering, Jovanka has 'classic'
taste in body illustrations, as evidenced by these Universal images.




They're 'Alive': Prof. Emcee Square is flanked by Stiffy the Dead
Clown and Heather the Mummy Girl as the threesome accept the Rondo
for 'Best Fan Event' for the truly global World Zombie Day.
Thousands dress up like the undead, and it's all for charity!




Dead stooges: Nurse Moan-Eek has trouble keeping a straight face as
professor and clown battle over the Rondo, their second in two years.




Wonder Boys: The foursome behind WonderFest -- John Davis, Dave
Hodge, Dave Conover and Donnie Waddell -- accept their Rondos for
Best Convention of 2008. The Louisville tradition is now 20 years
young and we're happy to be a part.




Four for Canada: As the night continued, RUE MORGUE's Jovanka
Vuckovic collected four Rondos won by the magazine -- Best Article
(by Jovanka and Scott Gabbey), Best Cover (by Basil Gogos), Best
Audio Site and Best Magazine. At one point she joked that she felt like
Michael Jackson at the MTV Awards in the 1980s.




Chicago's finest: After a hilarious video speech by Svengoolie, winner
of Favorite Horror Host, his fan and friend Elizabeth Haney (ElizabethVF
at the CHFB), offered wise and touching words about how he had
affected her life and the genre.




All-time winner: Tim Lucas is congratulated on his 10th and 11th
Rondos -- for Best Blog and Writer of the Year. (For those wondering,
Tom Weaver is next, with eight).




Honoring Basil: Two-time artist of the year Frank Dietz accepts the
2008 Best Artist Award for one of his inspirations, Basil Gogos, who
also won Best Cover for his portrait of Forrest J Ackerman for RUE
MORGUE. Frank said there was no one he'd rather pass the honor to.




Welcome to the Club: Gary Prange smiles after being surprised
with a 'Special Appreciation' Rondo for the great work he's done year
after year creating The Old Dark Clubhouse at the Monster Bash and
now WonderFest.




NTN? Max Cheney, proprietor of the Drunken Severed Head blog,
tries to divine what "NTN" -- a mysterious anagram mentioned by Gary --
actually stands for. Not That Normal was his conclusion.




Public Service: Nurse Moan-Eek holds her first Rondo as co-winner
Cameron McCasland describes the public service ads they created with
Nashville's Dr. Gangfrene and Michael Creason.




Hall of Fame: Jim and Marian Clatterbaugh drew warm applause as they
were inducted into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame. Friends to all in
fandom, the couple produces MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT, the
genre's all-classic, all-the-time magazine.




Into the Hall: Also inducted in person was former FAMOUS MONSTERS,
CREEPY and VAMPIRELLA cover artist Ken Kelly. He recalled
working for a tough-talking Jim Warren and said he was honored to
be a part of the event.




Monster Kid history: Four of the five living Monster Kids of the Year
(Arnold Kunert of California was on video), gather for an emotional finale.
From left, Larry Blamire, creator of LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA
(and sequel); Joe Busam (crator of MONSTER KID HOME MOVIES);
Ray Castile; and Michael Schlesinger (of Sony Pictures, last year's
winner), pose for the audience.




Remembering Forry: Each 'Kid' gave a remembrance of the late Forrest
J Ackerman or his magazine, FAMOUS MONSTERS. Here, Joe Busam
describes a life transformed by FM #26.




Wanted: More Readers Like...: Monster Kid Larry Blamire says the
behind-the-scenes glimpses offered by FAMOUS MONSTERS when
he was a kid helped propel him to become a director.




Honoring Joe Moe: In a Rondo tradition, last year's Monster Kid introduces
the newest Monster Kid of the Year, Joe Moe, who was Forry's cargeiver
in the last decade of his life. Schlesinger said Moe was responsible for
keeping the sci-fi legend alive and thriving during his painful final years.




Standing ovation: Joe Moe is greeted by tearful applause as fans honor
his work with Forry in his final years. It is an emotional moment and
Joe concludes his speech by leading the crowd in a heartfelt shout in
unison: "Forrest J Ackerman Shall Never Die!"




Not over yet! Bounding to the stage, author David J. Schow surprises
all with two headless skeleton statuettes, one for David Colton -- the
Coltondo! -- and one for Donna Lucas, who he says needs to be honored
for her help on VIDEO WATCHDOG. The name? The Dondo!




Thanking the Academy: Winners David and Donna show off their newest
bling, courtesy of David Schow. Where will he strike next?




Group hug: Winners and presenters gather for a final photograph. Many
said it was the best Rondo ceremony yet, helped by the numerous videos
and other surprises. Thanks to all!!


More photos to come.

david

Thanks J. These are great.

david

Here's a few shots of WonderFest itself, which remains the nation's premiere modeling exposition.

All photos by Eileen Colton, CHFB News:


Room for one more: Count Gore DeVol and Viscount Frank Dietz
welcome visitors to one of the dealers' rooms.



I'll bind him! A sampling of work at the model contest. Note the hands
at the Monster's feet. Mind he doesn't get loose again. He might cause
some damage.




One million eyes can't be wrong: Paul Schiola of Ultratumba
shows the upcoming kit for Beast with 1,000,000 Eyes, still
in pre-production.




Taylor-made: Collector supreme Robert Taylor stands by part of the
Forrest J Ackerman display at the Universal Monstrer Army exhibit.
Many of the items are from Robert's collection.




Dynamic duo: The CHFB's Elizabeth Haney and Dennis Vincent of the
Witch's Dungeon inside the giant modeling display room.




Couple of swells: David J. Schow and actress Jennifer Blaire of Animala
fame take a break in the dealers' room.




Sequel fever! Frank Dietz with Jennifer Blaire, Larry Blamire and
producer Mike Schlesinger, framing a poster for the upcoming LOST
SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN. A screening Saturday night drew
raves and even an unexpected singalong at the end.




Animala sounds: Jen is urged to give one more 'rowr' for the crowd at a
panel discussion. Larry also showed a preview of DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT, a takeoff on 30s dark house films.




Burns and Taylor: Feuding vaudeville team reunites for a rare
appearance at WonderFest. Their classic pig routine -- "The pen ran
out of ink!" -- still draws smiles.

Next: Inside The Old Dark Clubhouse. Hacienda everyone!