Western WinterBlast Rules and Guidelines

Welcome to the WPA and your first WPA Event!

Hey there, new friend—welcome to the Western Pyrotechnic Association! We have two fantastic manufacturing-focused events that are perfect for pyro enthusiasts like you.

First up is DO-IT, our dedicated hands-on manufacturing conference (usually held in September at the racetrack in Hawthorne, Nevada). This is where builders dive deep into creating pyrotechnic items all day and shooting at night in a safe, supportive environment. It has no seminar classes, no world-class shows, and little to no vending—just pure focus on manufacturing, learning by doing, and sharing your creations.

We also host Western WinterBlast (typically in February in Lake Havasu City, Arizona), which includes strong manufacturing opportunities alongside a ton more: plenty of seminar classes, incredible world-class shows, and vending for gear and supplies. It's a bigger celebration of pyrotechnics with networking, education, and spectacular displays.

Both are a blast (pun intended), and even if you're brand new beyond consumer fireworks, you can have an amazing time at either one. I know I did when I was in your shoes!

I showed up years ago knowing basically nothing about professional-grade pyro except that I was fascinated by how it all worked. I brought a decent order of 1.3G stuff from Flying Phoenix, wandered around watching people build, asked questions when folks had a moment, and soaked it all in. Some builders were deep in their process and gave me a polite "not right now," which is totally normal—don't take it personally. Others were super generous with their time and knowledge. I spent time relaxing at the hotel too, reading up on things, and it made the whole trip feel balanced.

The key? Be respectful of people's focus, start small, observe a lot, and don't be afraid to walk around and chat. Many folks are happy to explain what they're doing if you ask nicely at a good moment. After my first one, I came back way more confident, having done extra reading on pyro manufacture between events. I'm still learning after 6–8 of these things—there's always more to pick up, especially when you start teaming up with crews.

Getting There and Settling In

First things first: register and pay online ahead of time through the WPA website (westernpyro.org). It makes arrival smooth. When you drive in, check in at one of the tents to get your badge—this is your ticket to the secured site, especially at night.

If you're planning to manufacture (build your own devices), check in with the Manufacturing lead/manager at the racetrack area. They'll assign you a spot. When you registered for DO-IT, you should've gotten an email with the manufacturing application—it's basically a quick form for safety rules and to let them know what you're building and with whom. That helps them plan space.

Safety briefing is mandatory—usually around 4:30–5 PM in the big dining tent. Just attend one (ideally your arrival day), and you're good.

The club provides some cool shared tools like the WASP machine (speeds up pasting paper ball shells) and a hydraulic press (great for star plates and comet pumps). These are pricey pieces of kit, so the WPA makes them available so newcomers aren't priced out.

Gear and PPE – What You Really Need

Safety comes first—always. Here's the PPE basics:

• Hard hat (wildland fire helmets with headlamp clips are nice; grab one online or at a hardware store)
• Safety glasses (your regular prescription ones are usually impact-rated and fine)
• Leather gloves
• Long-sleeve cotton or Nomex shirt (wildland turnout/bunker gear is top-tier protection)
• Long cotton or Nomex pants (jeans work; again, turnout gear is best)
• Closed-toe shoes + cotton socks (no synthetics—poly can melt and complicate things in an emergency)

For your build site (most people use a 10x10 EZ-up style shade structure):

• Shade pop-up + at least 12 good stakes (ground is hard and rocky—concrete form stakes, auger screws, etc.; bring a hammer or hammerdrill for pilot holes; skip plastic stakes)
• 8+ straps (ratchet straps are fast and easy)
• At least 3 five-gallon buckets (mixing, washing tools, random uses—even as a seat)
• Screens (start with a good 40-mesh; it'll handle most jobs)
• Non-stainless mixing bowls (shiny metal can focus sunlight and ignite stuff)
• Ziplock bags (gallon size is super handy)
• Kraft paper (70lb bond or thinner rolls from Walmart/office section—great for tables, mixing, drying burst; avoid coated butcher paper)
• Utility knife + extra blades
• Non-sparking anvil cutters (for fuse)
• Trash bags
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Table + chair(s)
• Sharpie(s) (you'll lose them constantly)
• Non-sparking brass awl ("PyroPoke"—multi-use)
• Hammer(s) (one light, one heavy for the desert dirt)
• Pen/notebook (take notes!!)
• Good digital scale + backup batteries
• Plastic spoons/tubs for weighing
• Sturdy plastic storage containers (avoid cheap ones with brittle lids)
• Nitrile gloves
• Measuring tools (ruler/tape)
• Sturdy box/ammo can for in-progress devices/comps

Power: A generator (with fuel) + extension cords/power strips (100'+ to keep it downwind) makes life easier—glue gun, lighting for evening work, etc. Lighting is key since manufacturing often goes into the evening while open shooting happens.

Other nice-to-haves: Tape dispenser (for masking/strapping tape), glue gun + sticks, hole punch set, small propane torch (Bernzomatic TS4000 or similar), ammo cans for sealed storage (great against moisture).

For shells specifically (paper or plastic):

• Comfortable chair, folding table, shade + tie-downs
• Cooler for drinks
• Anvil cutters, scale
• Large container for rice hull/Meal-D burst
• Slow Visco fuse
• Newspaper for mixing/drying
• Solvent (if plastic shells) + applicator
• 1/4" drill (for fuse holes in plastic)
• Dixie cups for lift charges
• Tape (masking & strapping)

If you're newer and want something achievable: Try alcohol-based "rubber" stars—they dry fast and can be used same-day/next-day. Chems from fireworkscookbook.com or pyrochemsource.com; rice hulls from feed stores; coat hulls with Meal-D/dextrin burst.

Tips from the Field

• Work clean: Limit live material out at once, clean up often. Put kraft paper on your table—it keeps things tidy and is perfect for jotting notes.
• Start small—don't rush to buy fancy tooling (star plates, rocket sets, etc.). Figure out your goals first. Work with experienced folks if you can; many specialize in just one or two devices.
• Pockets galore (carpenter jeans > apron for me) when hands are full.
• Buckets double as seats/toolboxes.
• Ammo cans are gold for tool and unmixed chem storage.
• One solid 40-mesh screen can last years.
• Clean up frequently = working safe.

The event is about learning, making friends, and having fun in the desert. Walk around, watch what people are building, say hi. If you're there, come find me—I'll be happy to chat or show you what I'm working on.

You've got this. See you at the WPA event—let's make some noise!

The WPA crew

• No Class A or other High Explosives, or gasoline, or other flammable liquids can be used for any type of pyrotechnic effect, without the approval of at least one WPA officer and the Event Chair.  Members participating in public displays and demonstrations are exempted from the gasoline or other flammable liquids restriction per their approved Western WinterBlast contracts.
• Absolutely no live material is to be compounded or discharged outside of WPA event grounds. All such activities are confined to the manufacturing and shooting sites. No exceptions!
• Instructions and directives of the safety personnel are to be obeyed immediately. Please do not argue with the safety personnel. If you disagree with their instruction/directive, please follow up with a WPA Officer.
• Class C devices may only be fired in the designated areas. The Class C areas are well marked and segregated from the other areas.
• Please be prompt when attending meetings, seminars and workshops. Latecomers are disruptive and inconsiderate. We will endeavor to start all sessions on time.
• Remember, many people will be watching our activities, conduct and actions. Many of us are professional Pyrotechnicians and should ensure that we are behaving as such, at all times.
• Children must be supervised. Any unattended children in the Class C area will be asked to leave. Minors are not allowed in the Class B areas unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Please refer to the family manufacturing rules for more information.
• If you wish to fly a drone at Western WinterBlast for any reason, please contact the Board at [email protected].

Those who disregard the rules or compromise any aspect of safety may be asked to leave and may also jeopardize their membership.   Let’s make this a safe and uneventful convention.

1. Attendees must provide their own shade structure. All mixing of compositions must be done out of direct sunlight. Stainless steel bowls are forbidden for ANY mixed comp. Glass, plastic or non-sparking metal bowls are required. Attendees must provide tables, appropriate tools and supporting equipment, such as non-sparking hammers and ramming stations
2. Alcohol will NOT be consumed inside the fence at Sara Park during Western WinterBlast, or at Hawthorne Speedway during DO-IT. Anyone caught drinking will be expelled from the event. Any obvious odor of alcohol will be considered the same as consuming on site. This is non-negotiable and applies to everyone, including staff. At DO-IT, alcohol is allowed after open shooting is closed, and only around the food tent/firepit areas.  No Alcohol is allowed in manufacturing.
3. Anyone perceived to be unruly, unsafe, or under the influence will be removed from the manufacturing area at the discretion of the WPA Staff.
4. Please limit the amount of comp out at any given time. Keep all extra comp in personal day boxes, or in the manufacturing day box, and bring out only what you need at any given time. There is no reason to have pounds of open comp, such as whistle mix, on the table at any given time.
5. Please work on only one item at a time. This will reduce the amount of product out at any given time and allow you to pay full attention to each piece you are building. 
6. No one under 18 will be allowed to visit in the general manufacturing or Area 51 areas without direct supervision of a parent or guardian. Minors 13 and above who participate in Pyros in Training (PIT) will be allowed to manufacture in the designated “PIT Manufacturing Area” located by the Manufacturing Chair. 
7. In general, flash-based salutes are limited to contain no more than 200g of flash. Flash for ball shells will not be pre-mixed (must use binary method).  Flash for burst charges can be pre-mixed to a maximum of one ounce.  The manufacture of flash powder and flash-based salutes MUST BE APPROVED by the Manufacturing Chair or Co-chair, Safety Chair, or BOD. NO EXCEPTIONS!
8. Whistle comp will be mixed using the wet method – in a solvent slurry.
9. Whistle rockets may not be rammed (hammered); they must be pressed. Personal blast shields are highly recommended.
10. There will be absolutely no smoking or open flames of any kind within the event site unless inside a personal vehicle. Please be at least 250 feet down wind from the fenced in area of the site when having a smoke.   Please note that the ATF has determined that electronic nicotine devices pose the same ignition hazard as open flames.  Treat vaping the same as smoking – DON’T do it in manufacturing.  Testing, or any other device ignition, will occur only in an approved testing area and must be coordinated with the manufacturing chair and or co-chair.
11. Ball mills will use non-sparking media only (lead, ceramic, stainless steel or brass).
12. Manufacturing will only be conducted at the WPA Event site and only in the designated manufacturing areas. At Western WinterBlast, manufacturing will close at 5PM to allow for safety classes to shoot shells on the B-line.  All vehicles must be out of manufacturing by 5:30pm. In addition, anything that can burn must be secured when manufacturing closes. This means in the day box, in an approved ready box, or in a sealed metal container.  The Manufacturing Chair and Co-chair will inspect all sites prior to declaring manufacturing secure.  The longer it takes for us to verify that manufacturing is secure, the later shooting can open.  This is especially true for the rocket line. At DO-IT, manufacturing stays open until open shooting ends.
13. PARKING: At Western WinterBlast, parking passes for manufacturing will be issued at manufacturing registration. Parking passes may be limited. Exceptions for disability will be considered.  All vehicles parked within the manufacturing area must have a manufacturing parking permit. All vehicles MUST be removed from the manufacturing area and parked in the participant parking area, outside the main gate before 5:30PM. There is no parking permit requirement at DO-IT. Vehicles must have their keys inside, have doors and windows closed, and be parked in such a way that you do not need to back up to drive out of the area. 
14. The manufacturing permit holder will provide ALL related items that are needed to safely manufacture their devices. The permit holder is expected to make sure that all helpers are aware of and follow the manufacturing policy.
15. Power distribution at all of our events is unavailable for the manufacturing areas, therefore do not count on having electricity available at your site. Inverters or jump boxes provide adequate power for glue guns.  If you plan on bringing a generator, locate your generator at least 25’(50-100’ is recommended) away from your and neighboring manufacturing spots. **(Please indicate on your application that you will be using a generator)* 
16. All pyrotechnic items and comps that are left over from the day’s manufacturing will be stored in the manufacturing day box. Finished rockets will be moved to and stored in the truck or trailer next to the manufacturing day box prior to open shooting. No rockets will be transported to the Manufacturing/B-Rocket line after open shooting begins.  The truck or trailer will be moved to the Manufacturing/B-Rocketss area after manufacturing is secure, after the rocket line safety has eaten dinner, and prior to the opening of the rocket line.  NOTE: This only applies to Western WinterBlast, DO-IT has no rocket truck.  You must use the manufacturing day mag and transport your finished goods to the readybox on the rocket line for use.
17. Purchased class B product must be checked in and out at the B magazine. The paperwork allows for the check in/out of partial cases.  Modified Class B product must be stored in the manufacturing day box.  Unmodified Class B must be returned to and logged into, the class B magazine for overnight storage.
18. Leaving the event site with built or purchased class B product (unless in possession of the proper BATFE license(s) and paperwork) will result in your immediate expulsion from the WPA and if you are caught outside our event with product, you may be charged with FELONY THEFT OF EXPLOSIVES.
19. When you are setting up, allow for two exit paths. If there is an incident in your spot, everyone needs to be able to exit quickly.  Two exits double your chances of getting out without injury.  Remember, we are using highly energetic materials.
20. PPE: Closed toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves are recommended, but not required in the manufacturing area. Eye protection such as safety glasses are a must.  Since cotton does not melt, it is the preferred material for clothing along with other fire retardant materials like nomex.

1. 1. A contact phone number for the permit holder will be displayed at the manufacturing site to aid in contact during an emergency.
   2. Chuffer rockets are not allowed.
   3. Salute headers are limited to roughly 200 grams.
   4. Area 51(Western WinterBlast) is reserved for trusted manufacturers who are making 16” or larger shells.  Special credentials(buttons, badges, lanyards, etc) will be issued by the manufacturing chair to those authorized to manufacture in Area 51. 

• To be able to manufacture at Western WinterBlast, you must volunteer a 1 hour shift at the manufacturing registration tent, this is in addition to the 1 hour of bunker duty (if you purchase any B product) required by purchasing B product. For DO-IT, you must pull a 1 hour shift if you purchase any B product.

MANUFACTURING RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Be anti-social. Spread out! BATFE requires 57 feet between spaces and 200 feet from roads and magazines.  With the new configuration of the manufacturing area, spacing is as great as possible.
2. Your car IS your blast shield. Make sure your vehicle is between your site and your neighbor’s. Keep your windows up, doors closed and a spare key in the ignition. It should be placed between you and your neighbor and pointed so you do not need to back out in an emergency. If your car does its job, you may need a new one.
3. If you see an unsafe act, intervene and/or report it.
4. Safety and Security will be working closely with Manufacturing. Parking passes will be pulled or wristbands cut for non-compliance with the policies above.
5. Keep loose powder and live product to a minimum. Use a day box.
6. Use TEFC or other spark limiting motors to power ball mills and star rollers. Drills in particular tend to produce a lot of sparks and should be avoided as a power source for star rollers.
7. Re-read your liability waiver.
8. You are in the desert. Drink lots of water. Dehydration has all the unpleasant side effects of being drunk without all the pleasant primary effects.
9. Concentrate on what you are doing. The manufacturing area is open to all adult club members. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted.
10. Incidents can happen even if no one does anything wrong. See #7 above.
11. Your parking pass means you can park in manufacturing, and only in manufacturing until the close of manufacturing.
12. Almost every year, people building rockets have problems with drifts hitting spindles. Pay attention! “Non-sparking” only goes so far. Even wood rubbing on wood can make a fire ;)~.
13. Space considerations limit the number of manufacturing spaces available. This is first come first serve.  If you do not fill out and return the manufacturing application online, you may not have a spot.  You may also be teamed up with someone.  We try to group new folks with experienced folks.  Experienced manufacturers should expect a newbie working with them.  We are actively trying to grow manufacturing.
14. Salutes must be shot prior to curfew. If you are making rockets with salute headers, paint the header YELLOW so it can be easily identified as a salute in the frantic ten minutes prior to curfew.  If you launch a salute rocket without a yellow header, you will not launch anything after curfew.

Manufacturing - Storage

1. For Western WinterBlast, The city of Lake Havasu has imposed a curfew on salutes.
2. For DO-IT, The WPA has self implemented a curfew on salutes.
3. Please refer to the salute policy for more information. 
4. /events/winterblast/rules/salutes-and-bottom-shots
5. Salutes are not to be shot after the curfew.  

General Shooting Guidelines For the safety of the club, we will follow all NFPA regulations.

Shooting gear requirements: All people at the shooting lines are required to have the following gear on when at the shooting lines: long sleeved shirt, long pants, closed toed shoes, safety glasses. For the B shooting lines, a hardhat is required. Gloves are optional but recommended. All of the clothing should be of a natural fiber, or flameproof fabric(like nomex), to prevent injuries caused by the clothing melting into the skin in the result of a burn. Hearing protection is highly recommended in all shooting areas. If you do not have the proper type of clothing or gear, you will be asked to leave the shooting lines and return only when you do.

Safety Classes: Safety classes will be taught for both adults and youth. These classes will be mandatory for everyone.

Self-removal of the wristband by a member: If you remove your wristband for any reason and wish to enter the Western WinterBlast convention area you will not be permitted to unless you return to registration, return the cut wristband, and pay a $5.00 replacement fee.  You will need to attend another nightly safety meeting to have the wristband reissued.   Proper ID is necessary to obtain a new wristband.

Cutting a wristband for disciplinary reasons: If for any reason a full-time safety staff member or any other member of the full time Western WinterBlast staff deems you as unsafe, for yourself or others, they will cut your wristband off. This will remove you from the firing lines and you will not be allowed to return until after you have had one reissued.

Reissuing a wristband: In order to have your wristband reinstated after it has been removed you will need to meet with the Safety Chair, the individual who removed the wristband, and a member of the WPA Board of Directors to plead your case. This meeting will be held at the convenience of the Safety Chair and the individual who removed the wristband and may not necessarily be immediately following the situation.

Class B (1.3g) approval sticker: This must be obtained from a Safety Staff person after attending a safety meeting, and affixed to your name badge, in order to shoot Class B product.

Class C shooting: There will be safety volunteers at each shooting line to observe and assist when necessary. In addition, there will be a full-time safety staff person floating around this area if there are any problems. If anyone under the age of 18 is at the shooting line, it is mandatory that they have an adult companion with them to guide them. If a child is found without such a companion, they will be sent back to the general area and instructed to return only when they have an adult with them. No exceptions will be made.

Class B shooting: In the Class B shooting area you must demonstrate your ability to fire Class B product safely. There will be volunteers at each shooting line who have Class B safety knowledge and will instruct and assist you if you are not sure of the procedures. At Western WinterBlast, we also have safety staff around the Class B shooting area if there are any problems.  Please reach out to them if you have any concerns.

Salute Restrictions: Refer to salute policy.

Baby B and Experimental Shooting: This area will be set aside for the firing of B cakes, mines, comets, and experimental products. Experimental products must be cleared with the Safety Chair prior to any discharge.

B Rockets: The B Rockets shooting area will be monitored by full time safety staff and volunteer safety staff while the rocket line is open. The shooting line for B rockets is a considerable distance from the firing of B shells, to keep the concerns of shells and rockets pre-igniting one another. No composite fueled rocket motor in excess of 29mm is allowed.

Ready Boxes: There will be ready boxes available at each of the shooting lines. This is to be used for the product that is intended to be shot off in the immediate future. If there is not enough room in the ready box for all of the product, then some of it will have to be returned to the appropriate bunker until there is room. If product is left in the ready box past the close of shooting hours, it will be returned to the bunker unmarked and fired off by whomever claims it.

Unfired Product: Any product left unfired at the end of the event will be destroyed.

Safety Crew There will be full time safety staff members to assist the Safety Chair. Refer to the Staff section to identify who they are. There will be a safety tent that will be manned by a full-time safety staff person whenever open shooting is in operation. All full-time safety personnel will have a radio for the duration of WWB/DO-IT. All full-time safety staff will be required to be on duty, have an orange WPA safety hard hat and safety vest on while at their assigned area nightly during open shooting. These staff members are the safety law. If you are asked to do something, please comply as they are asking you to do so for a good reason. Please feel free to ask them the reasoning behind the request so you learn and become a safer shooter.  If you have any questions, Please direct them to the safety chair. 

WPA Event Salute/Bottom Shot Policy

Hawthorne:

In deference to our host town, Hawthorne, including school age children, pets and people who don’t love it so loud, please note the following policy for salutes and bottom shots on multi-break shells:

1. On Tuesday through Thursday (school nights), there will be no salutes fired after 8:30 PM. Friday and Saturday nights, salutes may be fired up until 10:00 PM and NO LATER.
2. Muti-break shells with bottom shots should be fired during salute hours.Exceptions must be approved by the safety chair
3. For salute manufacturing that exceeds the above guidelines, you will need the approval of one (1) WPA board member (preferably at least one who is seasoned in manufacturing) and the Safety Chair. You will also need to notify the manufacturing chair before the event of your intent to build salutes on the manufacturing application. This will allow them to place you in the correct area on-site based on risk assessment.

For questions regarding this policy, contact event chair, 

Havasu:

• • All salutes manufactured on site must follow manufacturing guidelines
  • On Tuesday through Thursday (school nights), there will be no salutes fired after 9:00 PM
  • On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be no salutes fired after 9:30 PM.
  • Muti-break shells with bottom shots should be fired during salute hours.  Exceptions must be approved by the safety chair

These rules do not apply to display companies.  For salute manufacturing that exceeds the above guidelines, you will need the approval of one (1) WPA board member (preferably at least one who is seasoned in manufacturing) and the Safety Chair.  You will also need to notify the manufacturing chair before the event of your intent to build salutes on the manufacturing application. This will allow them to place you in the correct area on-site based on risk assessment.

For questions regarding this policy, contact event chair

• Any member who damages or destroys a WPA mortar, rack or other piece of club equipment will be responsible to replace it with like kind or in cash. This rule is in effect regardless of the origin or manufacture of the device, except those devices made in seminar workshops.
• The member must pay for the replacement of said damages within 60 days of the event, or bring new equipment to the next event before a new registration badge is issued. Western WinterBlast or DO-IT safety staff will identify members responsible for replacing equipment.
• This set of rules will be posted and referenced for all convention attendees at the time members sign the waiver in registration. A current list of gun replacement costs will be included.

Replacement Gun

2024 Fall Costs

2 inch

$2.74

2.5 inch

$3.32

3 inch

$5.81

4 inch

$9.78

5 inch

$13.15

6 inch

$16.94

8 inch

$34.18

10 inch

$56.18

12 inch

$63.57

16 inch

$211.56

Racks 

3" $43.00

4" $50.00

5" $77.00

6" $87.00

For Western WinterBlast:

Daily Cleanup 

Daily Cleanup Schedule: 

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM on 

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday morning. 

Monday: 8:00 AM - as long as needed 

Please report to the Registration Tent to sign in. 

Want to get some money back and more? We all pay a $35 cleanup deposit as part of our event registration fee - including staff, board members, and sponsored guests. After everything is done and dusted, there is an opportunity to receive a refund of that deposit, and then some.

Here’s how it works: After paying for contract labor and cleaning supplies, the remainder of the total deposits are split between everyone who commits additional time to helping with site cleanup, based on hours worked

To accommodate members who might have to leave early, we have daily cleanup sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning, from 8am - 10am. You can earn up to one hour of credit on each of these days.

Regular Monday cleanup will start at 8am and continue as long as needed.

Please report for duty at the registration tent, use the sign-in sheet and meet with the site crew. You will be assigned an area for cleanup and provided with any necessary supplies. Once you are finished with your cleanup time, don’t forget to sign-out on the sheet in the mess tent(no credit will be issued for incomplete sign-in/out sheet entries).

Cleaning up after our events is a communal effort, and we need everyone to do their part. As they say, many hands make light work.

Thanks in advance for your help!

For DO-IT:

Daily Cleanup Schedule: 

Daily, except Sunday - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Sunday - 9:00 AM - Until whenever we finish loading and lock the containers.

Please report to the Mess Tent to sign in. 

Want to get some money back and more? We all pay a $50 cleanup deposit as part of our event registration fee - including staff, board members, and sponsored guests. After everything is done and dusted, there is an opportunity to receive a refund of that deposit, and then some.

Here’s how it works: After paying for any additional contract labor and cleaning supplies, the remainder of the total deposits are split between everyone who commits additional time to helping with site cleanup, based on hours worked

To accommodate members who might have to leave early, we have daily cleanup sessions on Friday, Saturday morning, from 9am - 10am. You can earn up to one hour of credit on each of these days. 

Regular Sunday cleanup will start at 9am and continue as long as needed.  We all usually gather afterwards at Old Nevada Pizza for pizza and beer once the containers are closed and locked.

Please report for duty at the Mess Tent, use the sign-in sheet there and meet with the site crew. Since DO-IT is such a small event with much less staff than Western WinterBlast, You may need to find the site crew to be assigned an area for cleanup and be provided with any necessary supplies. Once you are finished with your cleanup time, don’t forget to sign-out on the sheet in the mess tent(no credit will be issued for incomplete sign-in/out sheet entries).

Cleaning up after our events is a communal effort, and we need everyone to do their part. As they say, many hands make light work.

Thanks in advance for your help!

On the DO-IT registration page:

A $50.00 clean up fee is included in the registration fee.  It is refundable depending on hours worked per the WPA cleanup policy(you may even get back more than the $50, depending on hours worked). Any person registered for the event in any of the above categories, who ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES, signs in and out of the cleanup sign-in and sign-out sheet, will receive a share of the clean-up fee as a refund(if you do not sign out, you will get no credit for time worked). The amount will be calculated after clean-up expenses are determined per the cleanup policy. Children (less than 13) are ineligible to participate in clean-up for safety reasons.

• The WASP belongs to the WPA. You must replace anything you break.
• Do not make any non-standard (i.e.: welding, cutting, bending, etc.) adjustments or modifications to the physical portions of the WASP.
• Do not make any programming changes to the computer program of the WASP. If the WASP is not performing properly, ask the WASP staff member for help. You are responsible for restoring the programming should you make any unauthorized changes.
• You must buy your own tape.  The WPA will have limited amounts of tape available for purchase.
• You must stay with your shells as they are being pasted to monitor and make adjustments as needed.
• You must clean up after yourself. (Your mom doesn’t work here).
• Be Safe. Do NOT stack shells like cannon balls waiting around the machine.
• Talk to the others who will use the WASP and work out a schedule. Don’t bring a 3 inch when everyone else is pasting 6 inch and vice-versa. Be nice while you are doing it!
• Appropriate staff and BOD reserve the right to shut down all WASP operations due to safety issues, weather, acts of God, etc.

• Minor (RED)

• Issued at Registration to attendees under 18 years of age who ARE NOT participating in PIT
• Is NOT replaced at safety briefing
• ALLOWS passage through member gate
• ALLOWS purchasing and shooting Class C product when accompanied by an adult with the Safety Briefing  wristband

PIT – Pyros in Training (Green Firework with logo)

• Issued at Registration to attendees under 18 years of age who ARE participating in PIT
• Is NOT replaced at safety briefing
• ALLOWS passage through member gate
• ALLOWS purchasing and shooting Class C product when accompanied by an adult with the Safety Briefing  wristband

Special Use (PURPLE)

• Issued only by event chairman or WPA board members
• CANNOT BE REPLACED with Safety Briefing  wristband
• ALLOWS passage through member gates
• DOES NOT ALLOW purchasing or shooting of product

General access: Unreserved parking is located outside of the park beyond the main access gate. The local public will be coming to SARA Park each night to watch the shows. The City of Lake Havasu will be charging the public for parking in the main lot. You must have the Western WinterBlast parking pass (issued to you during the registration process) displayed. Do not access SARA Park from the main highway entrance. Enter at South McCulloch Blvd (by the Ace Hardware store) and follow the road around the back. You will need both your name badge and parking permit in order to enter the inner gates to Sara Park. For registration purposes, you can gain access past any security checkpoint on South McCulloch Blvd, by downloading the Registration Parking Pass found under the Members only section of the WPA website (westernpyro.org).

Underage attendees: All Western WinterBlast attendees that are under the age of 18 shall be in the company of an adult at all times. They will not be permitted into the shooting lines or purchase product, unless participating in an authorized PIT program.or accompanied by an adult.  

Manufacturing Parking Permits: If you will be manufacturing product during Western WinterBlast, it will be necessary for you to obtain a special parking permit. This permit can be obtained in the Manufacturing area from the Manufacturing Chair, and will entitle you to drive into and park in the manufacturing area only. The permit is valid for the duration of the event, unless revoked. Prior to the start of Open Shooting, all vehicles must be removed from the manufacturing area and parked outside the gates.  Manufacturing hours will be posted on site and online.

Towing Service: There will be a towing service on call to remove any vehicles that are parked within the gates of Sara Park without the proper permits. This is non-negotiable and the vehicle’s owner will pay the towing expenses.

Transporting of product to bunkers: Transport of Class C product to the bunkers and shooting lines will be the responsibility of the person(s) who purchased the product. Bring a hand-truck or cart to move your boxes, as we may not be able to do it for you. Class B product purchased under the Club’s ATF license will be transported and accompanied as described in the Class B procedures.

Recreational vehicles: No recreational vehicles are to be allowed inside the gates of Sara Park unless they are for the sole use of the full time WBB Staff. This includes but is not limited to ATC’s, ATV’s, dune buggies, bicycles, scooters, etc.

For Western WinterBlast 2026,

No 1.4 or 1.3 regulated items can leave the gates of Western WinterBlast unless your are running under your own ATF license.

The WPA Board will welcome the Jackalopes to create and share with the club on the J-line, if a few rules are followed. The plan needs to be vetted by the Seminar Chair, Public Display Chair, other staff members(as required) and the Board - just like every other display and demo. 

The J-Line is to be governed by the J-line liaison, who reports to the safety chair directly.

Normal PPE and safety requirements will be in place.

Anyone using the J-line to manufacture outside of seminar work will need to make sure they submit a manufacturing application, and sign the manufacturing waiver.

If another group would like to apply to utilize the J-line space, they may ask the board via email.  The space will be available, via application, to any group of WPA members (including the Jackalopes) who want to use the space to create a large scale, participatory event for club members. We'll work out the details in plenty of time before Western WinterBlast.

The layout of Sara Park will be determined in coordination with the Event Chair, Safety Chair, Security Chair, and Site Chair. Refer to the map in this program and online.

The map is for general reference only and is not a site plan or to scale.

Volunteer Staff In addition to the full-time safety staff there will also be a volunteer staff. The number of volunteer staff is to be determined by the Safety Chair once the final layout of the shooting lines is decided.

Check in / check out procedures: Sign up to volunteer at Registration. Volunteer staff members should report to the Safety tent or the Security Chair for assignments, depending upon what they are volunteering for. When their volunteer shift is over the next volunteer who has signed up will replace them in the same manner.

Pyros in Training (PIT) is a seminar and workshop series targeted at families and student members, but open to anyone who wants to learn about the science and techniques involved in pyrotechnics. At Western WinterBlast, PIT participants will have the opportunity to build items such as mines and fountains and will choreograph a fireworks display for Sunday night’s WPA Member Showcase.

Camping Overview

This is dry-dock camping—meaning no on-site hookups for water or electricity. Here are the basics:

• Multiple Spots: Need extra space? Let us know, and we’ll work it out.  Each spot has its own registration fee.
• Self-Sufficiency: Be ready to handle your own water, power, and waste needs. This is a "leave no trace" setup.
• Terrain: The camping area is mostly dirt and reground asphalt, so plan accordingly.

What to Bring

Preparation is key for a great camping experience. Here’s what you’ll need:

Power

• Bring a generator for electricity.
• Pack extra fuel to keep things running smoothly. Nearby fuel stations are available if you need to top off.

Water

• Bring water containers or tanks to store what you need.
• A water source is available on the event grounds, but you’ll need to fill and transport it yourself.

Waste Management

• Grey water and waste disposal services are available for a fee. Fireworks America organizes a morning pump-out truck.  See the RV Chair for specifics.

Camping Gear

• A sturdy tent or RV that can handle dirt and reground asphalt.
• Sleeping gear: Sleeping bags, cots, or air mattresses.
• Cooking supplies: Portable stoves, grills, utensils, and cookware.
• Lighting: Lanterns, flashlights, and plenty of batteries.
• Personal essentials: Toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a first aid kit.

Tips for Camping on Rough Terrain

• Use heavy-duty stakes and tie-downs to secure your tent or canopy.
• Lay down a tarp or mat for a stable surface.
• Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for navigating uneven ground.

Community Atmosphere

One of the best parts of camping at Western WinterBlast is the community spirit. Here’s what makes it special:

• Friendly Assistance: The Pyro Spec and Fireworks America camps are larger setups with common areas and fire pits. If you need help or gear, don’t hesitate to ask.
• Shared Resources: Many campers are happy to share supplies or lend a hand—it’s all part of the experience.

Camp Rules

1. Registration: Each camping spot must be registered by a WPA member or a registered guest of one.
2. Cost: Camping is $75 per spot for the entire event, payable in advance or on arrival.
3. Pass Display: Your camping pass must be displayed on your RV or tent.
4. Placement: The RV camp host has the final say on where RVs are parked.
5. Noise: Generators in the quiet camping area should be minimized as much as possible between 11:30 PM and 8:30 AM. 
6. Sharing Power: If you have excess generator power, consider sharing with neighbors. If someone offers you power, pitching in for fuel is a nice gesture.
7. Cleanliness: Keep your campsite tidy. Trash must go in proper receptacles.
8. Water Services: Black, grey, and fresh water services are available for a fee. Check with the RV Camp host for schedules.

Important Reminders

• Respect the "leave no trace" policy.
• Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress. Local hardware and big-box stores are nearby for supplies.

Need Help?

For questions or assistance during Western WinterBlast, reach out to the Western WinterBlast RV Chair. They’re here to help you make the most of your camping experience.

Enjoy the adventure, the camaraderie, and the unique camping experience at Western WinterBlast!

1. Members may sponsor up to 3 Guests (up to 5 Guests per agreement with the Registration Chair).  
   1. Must be attending the same event as the Sponsored Guest(s).
   2. Must be a member in good standing through the end of the event.
   3. Must be in control of all Sponsored Guests at all times; this means:
      1. Sponsored Guests may not roam the event grounds unattended.
      2. Must monitor Sponsored Guest when at the shooting lines.
      3. Must ensure all Sponsored Guests use the appropriate PPE on the shooting lines.
   4. Must follow the WPA policies for the purchase and use of regulated materials.
   5. Educates the Sponsored Guest on this policy.
2. A person (aged 18 and over) may be a Sponsored Guest that has never been a WPA member, and:
   1. Sponsored Guest can only be a Guest for each WPA event ONCE in their lifetime.
      1. Has not attended this WPA event as a previous Sponsored Guest.
   2. Is a Spouse or family member of another Sponsored Guest.
   3. Children under the age of 18 may be a Sponsored Guest, but pay the full Sponsored Guest registration fee.
   4. Must be sponsored by a WPA member in good standing, that is registered and attending the same event.
   5. Must pay the Sponsored Guest registration fee for each Sponsored Guest
   6. Cannot roam the event grounds unless in the presence of Sponsoree.
   7. Cannot go to the shooting lines unless accompanied by the Sponsoree.
   8. Must use the appropriate PPE when on the shooting lines.
   9. Will not be issued a member number.
   10. May attend the annual business meeting, but cannot vote. 
3. All other WPA Rules and Policies still apply to all Sponsored Guests.