Western WinterBlast 2026 Schedule

8:30–12:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

10:00 AM

12:30 PM

12:30–2:30 PMPIT TentGarrett Tershel, Aurora Tershel

PIT Skylighter Turbo Pyro

12:30–3:30 PMTent 3Matthew Nubbe

Skylighter Screen Sliced Stars

12:30–1:00 PMBleachersWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

1:00 PM

1:00–10:00 PMClass-C TentWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Class C Vending

1:00–10:00 PMSara ParkWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Trade Show

1:00–6:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

3:00 PM

3:00–5:00 PMPIT TentGarrett Tershel, Aurora Tershel

PIT Inventory and Choreography Discussion

3:30 PM

3:30–5:00 PMTent 3David Tanner, Mike Garrett

Skylighter Comets

4:00 PM

4:00–4:30 PMWASP TentMatthew Nubbe

WASP Orientation

4:00–4:30 PMBleachersWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

4:30 PM

Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)

5:00 PM

5:00–10:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open

Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)

6:00 PM

6:00–6:30 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)

6:00–10:00 PMFiring LinesWestern WinterBlast - Safety

Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!)

10:00 PM

Thursday February 12 · 32 sessions

8:30 AM

8:30–12:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

9:00 AM

9:00–10:30 AMTent 3David Rippe, Noye Balmer III, Ocean Williams

Black Powder Chemistry and Techniques (Group 1)

9:00–12:00 PMPIT TentMatthew Bergondo

CPR/AED & First Aid Certification

9:00–9:30 AMHospitality TentDennis Miele

New Member Orientation

9:30 AM

9:30–11:00 AMTent 1Bill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson

5" Ball Shell Construction - Part 1, Lecture

10:00 AM

10:00–3:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open

11:00 AM

11:00–2:00 PMTent 3Ellen Webb

6" Double Petal Ball Shell Contruction (Group 1)

11:30 AM

11:30–12:00 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson, Darrell Fiss, Aurora Tershel

5" Ball Shell Construction - Part 2, Group 1 of 4

11:30–1:00 PMTent 1Michael Tockstein

Building the Boom - A Day in the Life of Crafting A Sky Bound Spectacle

12:00 PM

12:00–12:30 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson, Darrell Fiss, Aurora Tershel

5" Ball Shell Construction - Part 2, Group 2 of 4

1:00 PM

1:00–1:30 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Darrell Fiss, Aurora Tershel

5" Ball Shell Construction - Part 2, Group 3 of 4

1:00–10:00 PMClass-C TentWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Class C Vending

1:00–3:30 PMPIT TentAcacia Tanner

PIT Tie-Dye T-Shirts

1:00–10:00 PMSara ParkWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Trade Show

1:00–6:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

1:30 PM

1:30–2:00 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson, Darrell Fiss, Aurora Tershel

5" Ball Shell Construction - Part 2, Group 4 of 4

1:30–2:30 PMTent 1Tom Calderwood, Chris Spurrell, Mark Devon

Pyrophile Brothers

2:00 PM

2:00–5:00 PMTent 3Ellen Webb

6" Double Petal Ball Shell Contruction (Group 2)

2:30 PM

2:30–3:00 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson, Darrell Fiss, Aurora Tershel

PIT Pattern Shell Construction (Hearts over Havasu)

3:00 PM

3:00–5:00 PMTent 1Tom BetGeorge

Introduction to Pixel Displays

3:30 PM

3:30–4:30 PMTent 2Invention Incarnate

Pull Cord Igniters (Group 1)

4:00 PM

4:00–6:00 PMPIT TentFarns Farnsworth, Garrett Tershel, Aurora Tershel

PIT Introduction to Class C Fireworks and PyroCrate Scavenger Hunt

4:00–4:30 PMBleachersWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

4:30 PM

Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)

5:00 PM

5:00–10:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open

Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)

6:00 PM

6:00–6:30 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)

6:00–10:00 PMFiring LinesWestern WinterBlast - Safety

Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!)

7:30 PM

7:30–8:00 PMRace TrackFarns Farnsworth, PyroCrate Fireworks

PyroCrate Fireworks

10:00 PM

Friday February 13 · 41 sessions

8:00 AM

8:30 AM

8:30–12:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

9:00 AM

9:00–12:00 PMTent 3Lynden King, Ron Fuchs, Gregory Thomas

Jackie Whedby-Mattingly Memorial Set Piece Construction

9:00–12:30 PMTent 2Bill Stevenson, Ellen Webb, Darrell Fiss, Violet Stevenson

Lift and Leader Segment for Ball Shell Workshops

9:00–9:30 AMHospitality TentDennis Miele

New Member Orientation

9:00–5:00 PMQuality InnWill Scott, John Steinberg MD, Josh Lazarus, Daniel Suttkus

PGI Shooter Certification Course

10:00 AM

10:00–3:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open

10:00–11:30 AMTent 1John Steinberg MD, Kurt Medlin, Leo and Silas Covarrubias

Black Powder Rockets - Part 1: Lecture

10:00–11:30 AMPIT TentPeggy Purner

PIT Hand Fountains

10:00–10:30 AMBleachersWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation

11:30 AM

11:30–12:30 PMPIT TentDarrell Fiss

PIT Walking Tour of B Line

11:30–12:30 PMTent 1Jesse Veverka

Passfire: Supercharged

11:30–12:00 PMB-LineWestern WinterBlast - Safety

Walking Tour of Shooter Lines (Meet at entrance to firing lines)

12:30 PM

12:30–2:00 PMTent 3Matthew Nubbe

Skylighter 3" Ball Shells (Group 1)

12:30–1:00 PMBleachersWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

1:00 PM

1:00–5:00 PMTent 2John Steinberg MD, Kurt Medlin, Leo and Silas Covarrubias

Black Powder Rockets - Part 2: Workshop

1:00–10:00 PMClass-C TentWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Class C Vending (closed during Public Displays)

1:00–2:30 PMJ-LineThe Jackalopes

Jackalopian Pinwheels for Adults

1:00–3:30 PMPIT TentLeo and Silas Covarrubias

PIT Gerb Workshop

1:00–10:00 PMSara ParkWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Trade Show

1:00–2:00 PMTent 1Jim Acker

Transitioning from Hand Firing to Electric Firing

1:00–6:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

2:00 PM

2:00–3:30 PMTent 3Matthew Nubbe

Skylighter 3" Ball Shells (Group 2)

2:30 PM

2:30–4:00 PMTent 1Tom BetGeorge

Intro to Multi-Modal Displays

3:30 PM

3:30–5:00 PMPIT TentTom and Eunice Pingenot, Terrie Schweitzer

PIT Giant Soap Bubbles

3:30–5:00 PMTent 3Invention Incarnate

Reloadable White Screening Smoke Canister

3:30–4:00 PMWASP TentMatthew Nubbe

Wasp Orientation

4:00 PM

4:00–5:00 PMTent 1Zachary Gilbert

Intro to Cobra Firing Systems

4:00–4:30 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

4:30 PM

Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)

5:00 PM

5:00–10:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open (closed during displays)

Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)

5:30 PM

6:00 PM

6:00–10:30 PMFiring LinesWestern WinterBlast - Safety

Open Shooting (No salutes after 9:30PM! Lines closed during Public Display)

6:30 PM

6:30–7:00 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)

7:30 PM

7:30–7:50 PMRace TrackPrecision Fireworks, LLC / Precision Drones, Inc., Jesse Williams

Precision Fireworks Display

7:50 PM

7:50–8:10 PMRace TrackRich Bader

Memorial Display for Jackie Whedbee Mattingly - Pyro Musical

8:10 PM

8:10–8:30 PMRace TrackPyro Spectaculars

Pyro Spectaculars - a Sky Concert!

10:00 PM

Saturday February 14 · 42 sessions

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

9:00–9:30 AMHospitality TentDennis Miele

New Member Orientation

9:00–2:00 PMQuality InnDaniel Suttkus

PGI Introduction to Professional Use Only (AP)

9:00–10:00 AMPIT TentAcacia Tanner

PIT Cereal Ball Shells

9:00–9:30 AMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

9:00–12:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

9:30 AM

9:30–11:00 AMTent 3David Rippe, Noye Balmer III, Ocean Williams

Black Powder Chemistry and Techniques (Group 2)

9:30–11:00 AMTent 2Invention Incarnate

Reloadable Colored Smoke Canister

10:00 AM

10:00–3:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open

10:00–11:00 AMTent 1Zachary Gilbert

Cobra Ignite

10:30 AM

10:30–12:00 PMPIT TentThe Jackalopes

PIT Jackalopian Pinwheels For Kids

10:30–11:30 AMManufacturingDavid Tanner

Walking Tour of Manufacturing

11:30 AM

11:30–12:30 PMTent 2Invention Incarnate

Pull Cord Igniters (Group 2)

11:30–12:30 PMTent 1Dennis Miele

Working With Your AHJ

1:00 PM

1:00–10:00 PMClass-C TentWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Class C Vending (closed during Public Displays)

1:00–2:00 PMTent 3Matthew Nubbe

Colored Flame Effects

1:00–3:30 PMTent 2Gina Papini

Mines for Beginners

1:00–4:00 PMTent 3Lynden King

PIT Crew Set Piece Construction

1:00–2:00 PMTent 1Jesse Veverka

Passfire: Supercharged

1:00–2:00 PMRace TrackKerry Welty, Ron Fuchs, Gregory Thomas

Shooting Displays From Trailer-Mounted Racks

1:00–10:00 PMSara ParkWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Trade Show

1:00–5:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)

2:30 PM

2:30–4:00 PMTent 3Stephen Yoss, Jr

Public Display Operator Roundtable: Tips, Tools, and Best Practices

2:30–3:30 PMTent 1Tom Calderwood

Pyrotography

4:00 PM

4:00–4:30 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting

4:00–5:30 PMTent 2Katie Gromlovits

Fire Dancing

4:00–5:00 PMTent 1Tom Perigrin

Fireworks: The First Milliseconds at the Molecular Level

4:00–5:00 PMTent 3John Steinberg MD, Josh Lazarus

How to Become a PGI Trainer

4:00–5:00 PMPIT TentBill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson, Aurora Tershel

PIT Mini Mines

4:00–4:30 PMHospitality TentWestern WinterBlast Staff

Welcome Orientation Meeting

4:30 PM

Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)

5:00 PM

5:00–10:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open (closed during displays)

Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)

6:00 PM

6:00–10:30 PMFiring LinesWestern WinterBlast - Safety

Open Shooting (No salutes after 9:30PM! Lines closed during Public Display)

7:30 PM

7:30–7:50 PMRace TrackGregory Thomas

Memorial Display for Greg Dandurand

7:50 PM

7:50–8:10 PMRace TrackSkylighter

Skylighter Display

8:10 PM

8:10–8:30 PMRace TrackPyroLand Fireworks

Pyro Land Display

8:30 PM

8:30–8:50 PMRace TrackFireworks America, J. Scott Danielson

Fireworks America: Grand Public Display - Luminous: A Sky Reborn

10:00 PM

11:00 PM

Sunday February 15 · 20 sessions

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

9:00–4:00 PMHospitality TentMichelle Joye, Dennis Miele

Welcome Orientation Meeting

9:00–12:00 PMSara ParkDennis Miele, Michelle Joye

Western WinterBlast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In) - On call, as needed

10:00 AM

10:00–12:00 PMBleachersBoard of Directors

WPA General Business Meeting, Election & Awards

12:00 PM

12:00–3:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open every hour, on the hour, for 15 minutes till 3 PM

12:00–12:15 PMManufacturingWPA Members

Members Showcase Deadline to Sign Up

12:15 PM

12:15–12:30 PMSara ParkWPA Members

Members Showcase Deadline to Deliver Product

12:30 PM

12:30–2:00 PMTent 2Jon Salzman

European Christmas Crackers

1:00 PM

1:00–2:00 PMTent 1Tom Calderwood

After it Clicks

1:00–10:00 PMClass-C TentWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Class C Vending (may close during the PIT show & Members Showcase)

1:00–3:00 PMRace TrackBill Stevenson, Violet Stevenson

Cremora Fireballs

1:00–10:00 PMSara ParkWestern WinterBlast - Vendors

Trade Show

2:30 PM

2:30–4:00 PMTent 2Ellen Webb

Rolled & Color Changing Stars

5:00 PM

5:00–10:00 PMContainerWestern WinterBlast - SecurityCanceled

B-Mag Open (closed during displays)

Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)

5:30 PM

5:30–7:00 PMPIT TentAcacia Tanner, Katie Gromlovits

PIT Face Painting + Glow Dancing + Pizza Party

6:00 PM