Event Schedule

Below is the MOST CURRENT 2023 WinterBlast event schedule. All classes, sessions, seminars, etc. are subject to change without notice. Please check for the most up-to-date information about the event. Click the event title to read more about the event and its presenters. 

PLEASE NOTE, ALL EVENTS ARE IN MOUNTAIN TIME (MT)

 

Download PDF Schedule
schedule-icon
Thursday. February, 16th, 2023
Event/ActivityCategoryStartEndLocationPresenter
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration8:30 AM12:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
Pressed Stars, Comets and Color Changing Stars TutorialSeminar10:00 AM11:00 AMTent 3Ben Smith
B-Mag OpenShooting10:00 AM3:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Trade ShowVendor10:00 AM4:00 PMSara ParkWWB Vendors
Pressed Star WorkshopWorkshop11:00 AM2:00 PMTent 3Clara Carstensen
Seminar Prep – Fusing & lift sub-assembly (for ball shells & mines)Workshop1:00 PM4:00 PMTent 2Seminar Staff
Public Display Workshop – Part IWorkshop1:00 PM3:00 PMCrash CampMonty Gill
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration1:00 PM6:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
Spoolettes and Precision Timing ElementsSeminar2:00 PM3:00 PMTent 1Joseph Madziarczyk
Basics of Fireworks ChemistrySeminar3:00 PM4:00 PMTent 1Dominykas Juknelevičius
Welcome Orientation MeetingMeeting4:00 PM4:30 PMBleachersWWB Staff
Open WASP WorkshopWorkshop4:00 PM6:30 PMTent 2 (Rear)WASP Staff
Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)Safety4:30 PM5:00 PMHospitality TentDarrell Fiss
IGNITE Firing Systems – Start Shooting Fireworks with your Phone!Demonstration4:30 PM5:30 PMTent 1Zach Gilbert
Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)Safety5:00 PM6:00 PMSafety TentDarrell Fiss
B-Mag Open5:00 PM10:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Class C VendingVendor5:00 PM9:30 PMClass-C TentWWB Vendors
Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!)6:00 PM10:00 PMSara ParkSafety Staff
2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)Meeting6:00 PM6:30 PMHospitality TentWWB Staff
Round Eyes Fireworks Class C DemoDisplay7:30 PM8:00 PMRace TrackRound Eyes Fireworks
Hauter Fireworks Class C DemoDisplay8:00 PM8:30 PMRace TrackHauter Fireworks
AfterglowSocial10:00 PM2:00 AMQuality InnWWB Staff
Friday. February, 17th, 2023
Event/ActivityCategoryStartEndLocationPresenter
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration8:30 AM12:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
New Member OrientationMeeting9:00 AM9:30 AMHospitality TentDennis Miele
Introduction to Black Powder RocketsSeminar9:00 AM10:00 AMTent 2Kurt Medlin
6″ Double Petal Ball Shell Workshop – Part IWorkshop9:00 AM12:30 PMTent 3Ellen Webb
Public Display Workshop – Part IIWorkshop9:00 AM12:00 PMCrash CampMonica Blam
Walking Tour Shooter Lines (Meet at entrance to firing lines)Safety9:30 AM10:00 AMB-LineGreg Dandurand
Pyros In Training KickoffPIT Crew9:30 AM10:00 AMPIT TentBill Stevenson
How to Obtain Your CA Pyro Operator’s LicenseSeminar9:30 AM11:00 AMTent 1Mike Tockstein
B-Mag OpenShooting10:00 AM3:00 PMB-LineSecurity Staff
Trade ShowVendor10:00 AM4:00 PMSara ParkWWB Vendors
Safety FirstPIT Crew10:00 AM11:00 AMPIT TentBill Stevenson
Black Powder Rockets Workshop – Group 1Workshop10:30 AM11:00 AMTent 2Scott Morton
Black Powder Rockets Workshop – Group 2Workshop11:00 AM11:30 AMTent 2Scott Morton
Mines for BeginnersPIT Crew11:00 AM12:30 PMPIT TentTom Sklebar
World’s Largest Firework – A Passfire Documentary VideoSeminar11:00 AM12:00 PMTent 1Jesse Veverka
Black Powder Rockets Workshop – Group 3Workshop11:30 AM12:00 PMTent 2Scott Morton
Fire Extinguishers – Various Types and How to Use ThemSeminar11:30 AM12:30 PMMember BleachersAntonio Restivo
Introduction to Ball ShellsSeminar12:00 PM1:00 PMTent 1Mike Garrett
Black Powder Rockets Workshop – Group 4Workshop12:00 PM12:30 PMTent 2Scott Morton
Black Powder Rockets Workshop – Group 5Workshop12:30 PM1:00 PMTent 2Scott Morton
“Feeling” the Light – “Seeing” Fireworks Displays Without SightSeminar1:00 PM2:00 PMTent 1Collin van Uchelen
Death Defying Sanding Dust Fireballs WorkshopWorkshop1:00 PM4:00 PMJ-LineThe Jackalopes
3″ Mine Production WorkshopWorkshop1:00 PM3:00 PMTent 3Steve Wilson
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration1:00 PM6:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
Hand Fountains for BeginnersPIT Crew1:30 PM3:00 PMPIT TentPeggy Purner
Magnesium Rich Red Flame MixturesSeminar2:00 PM3:00 PMTent 1Dominykas Juknelevičius
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Group 1Workshop2:00 PM2:30 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Group 2Workshop2:30 PM3:00 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
Pyrotography – How to set up to take killer fireworks photosSeminar3:00 PM4:00 PMTent 1Tom Calderwood
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Group 3Workshop3:00 PM3:30 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
PIT Display PlanningPIT Crew3:00 PM5:00 PMPIT TentDave Tanner
Binary Airburst and SPD (Spark Producing Device) Assembly WorkshopWorkshop3:30 PM5:00 PMTent 3Amanda Nixon
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Group 4Workshop3:30 PM4:00 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
Welcome Orientation MeetingMeeting4:00 PM4:30 PMBleachersWWB Staff
Open WASP WorkshopWorkshop4:00 PM6:30 PMTent 2 (Rear)WASP Staff
Magnificent MagnesiumSeminar4:00 PM5:00 PMTent 1Joel Baechle
Free BBQ @ Fireworks America campsiteSocial4:00 PM6:00 PMFireworks America CampFireworks America
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Group 5Workshop4:00 PM4:30 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
Firebreathing 101Seminar4:00 PM5:00 PMMember BleachersLevi Morin
Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)Safety4:30 PM5:00 PMHospitality TentDarrell Fiss
Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)Safety5:00 PM6:00 PMSafety TentDarrell Fiss
B-Mag Open5:00 PM10:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Class C VendingVendor5:00 PM9:30 PMClass-C TentWWB Vendors
20th Annual Western Winter Blast Wine TastingSocial5:30 PM6:30 PMPyro PavilionWPA Members
Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!)6:00 PM10:00 PMSara ParkSafety Staff
2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)Meeting6:00 PM6:30 PMHospitality TentWWB Staff
Tonight’s National Anthem is provided by Hauter FireworksDisplay7:30 PM7:45 AMRace TrackHauter Fireworks
Big Sky Fireworks presents – Light em up!Display8:00 PM8:15 PMRace TrackBig Sky Fireworks
Hauter Fireworks – A Party in the SkyDisplay8:15 PM8:30 PMRace TrackHauter Fireworks
Jakes FireworksDisplay8:30 PM8:45 PMRace TrackJakes Fireworks
Pyro Spectaculars’ Tribute to Rock – When Rock Music RuledDisplay8:45 PM9:00 PMRace TrackPyro Spectaculars by Souza
AfterglowSocial10:00 PM2:00 AMQuality InnWWB Staff
Saturday. February, 18th, 2023
Event/ActivityCategoryStartEndLocationPresenter
Pancake BreakfastSocial8:00 AM10:30 AMSara ParkWWB Staff
New Member OrientationMeeting9:00 AM9:30 AMHospitality TentDennis Miele
Public Display Workshop – Part IIIWorkshop9:00 AM12:00 PMCrash CampMonica Blam
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration9:00 AM12:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
Hands-on with COBRA Firing SystemsSeminar9:00 AM10:30 AMTent 1Zach Gilbert
Set Pieces for BeginnersPIT Crew9:30 AM12:30 PMPIT TentLynden King
3″ Beginning Bag Mines WorkshopWorkshop10:00 AM12:00 PMTent 2Gina Papini
6″ Double Petal Ball Shell Workshop – Part IIWorkshop10:00 AM12:00 PMTent 3Ellen Webb
B-Mag Open10:00 AM3:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Trade ShowVendor10:00 AM4:00 PMSara ParkWWB Vendors
Walking Tour of ManufacturingMeeting10:30 AM11:30 AMManufacturingBill Ryan
After The Shutter Clicks – Pyrotography Post ProcessingSeminar11:00 AM12:00 PMTent 1Tom Calderwood
5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part IIWorkshop12:30 PM2:30 PMTent 2Mike Garrett
Star Sizes, Weights and Color Changing Designs for Aerial Shells and MinesSeminar1:00 PM2:00 PMTent 1Aaron Mayfield
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In)Registration1:00 PM5:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
Fountain & Gerb WorkshopWorkshop1:00 PM4:00 PMTent 3Scott Morton
PIT Display PreparationPIT Crew1:30 PM5:00 PMPIT TentDave Tanner
European Fireworks: Styles, Traditions & ManufacturingSeminar2:00 PM3:00 PMTent 1Martin Hildeberg
Study for the Safe Design of a 62″ MortarSeminar3:00 PM4:00 PMTent 1Eric Krug
Italian vs. Maltese Shells, 2 Ways of Achieving Similar ResultsDemonstration3:00 PM5:00 PMTent 2Tom Sklebar
Lycopodium and other Powder Mixes for Fire PerformancesDemonstration4:00 PM5:00 PMTent 1Levi Morin
Open WASP WorkshopWorkshop4:00 PM6:30 PMTent 2 (Rear)WASP Staff
Safety Training (How to be a Safety Volunteer)Safety4:30 PM5:00 PMHospitality TentDarrell Fiss
Class C VendingVendor5:00 PM9:30 PMClass-C TentWWB Vendors
Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)Safety5:00 PM6:00 PMSafety TentDarrell Fiss
B-Mag Open (Closed during displays)Shooting5:00 PM10:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!)Closed during Public DisplayShooting6:00 PM7:30 PMB-LineSafety Staff
A Demo of Skylighter ProjectsDisplay7:30 PM7:45 PMRace TrackSkylighter Supply
G-Flame DemoDisplay7:45 PM8:00 PMRace TrackStellar Fireworks
Comet ConfirmationDisplay8:00 PM8:15 PMRace TrackGreg Thomas
Crash Course Pyro – Ol’ SonsDisplay8:30 PM8:45 PMRace TrackCrash Course Pyro
The Cherry Bombs – Girls, girls, girls…Display8:45 PM9:15 PMRace TrackThe Cherry Bombs
Grand Public Display – Christmas in FebruaryDisplay9:15 PM9:45 PMRace TrackFireworks America
AfterglowSocial10:00 PM2:00 AMHotelWPA Members
Winter Blast AuctionSocial10:30 PM12:00 AMHotelWPA Members
Sunday. February, 19th, 2023
Event/ActivityCategoryStartEndLocationPresenter
Public Display Workshop – Clean UpWorkshop9:00 AM10:00 AMRace TrackMonica Blam
Winterblast Registration (Pre-Registered & Walk-In) – On call, as neededRegistration9:00 AM12:00 PMSara ParkWWB Staff
PIT Display SetupPIT Crew9:00 AM5:00 PMRace TrackDave Tanner
1st Annual WinterBlast RV Brunch Pot LuckSocial9:00 AM10:00 AMPyro PavilionWPA Members
WPA General Business Meeting, Election & AwardsMeeting10:00 AM12:00 PMBleachersWPA Members
Trade ShowVendor12:00 PM4:00 PMSara ParkWWB Vendors
B-Mag Open every hour, on the hour, for 15 minutes till 3 PM12:00 PM3:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Members Showcase Deadline to Sign UpShooting12:00 PM12:15 PMManufacturingJohn Schwabel
Members Showcase Deadline to Deliver ProductShooting12:30 PM12:30 PMSara ParkJohn Schwabel
Creating your first Pyro Musical with COBRA and SpiritSeminar12:30 PM1:30 PMTent 1Zach Gilbert
Inserts and Outserts, (Garnishments)Seminar1:00 PM2:00 PMTent 2Joseph Madziarczyk
Building Multiple Rockets with One Set of ToolingSeminar1:00 PM2:00 PMTent 3Ben Smith
An Overview of the Mechanics of Pyrotechnic Strobe CompositionsSeminar1:30 PM2:30 PMTent 1Kurt Medlin
Star Rolling – The Toro MethodDemonstration2:15 PM3:45 PMTent 3Ellen Webb
Italian Fireworks: Exclusive Look at Facilities in ItalySeminar2:30 PM3:30 PMTent 1Peter Rogoz
Screen Sliced Red Rubber StarsDemonstration3:00 PM4:30 PMTent 2Mike Gerson
The Art of Fireworks: Inhibitors and ModeratorsSeminar3:30 PM4:30 PMTent 1Joel Baechle
Welcome Orientation MeetingMeeting4:00 PM4:30 PMBleachersWWB Staff
Class B Safety Class (How to safely fire your shells)Safety5:00 PM6:00 PMSafety TentDarrell Fiss
B-Mag Open (Closed during displays)Shooting5:00 PM10:00 PMContainerSecurity Staff
Class C VendingVendor5:00 PM7:30 PMClass-C TentWWB Vendors
Open Shooting (No salutes after 9PM!) Closed during Public Display6:00 PM7:30 PMSara ParkSafety Staff
2nd Welcome Orientation Meeting (if missed the 4:00 time)Meeting6:00 PM6:30 PMHospitality TentWWB Staff
Daylight Display Segment6:30 PM6:45 PMRace TrackWPA Members
Main Public Display Open shooting closed7:30 PM9:00 PMRace TrackWWB Staff
Members Showcase & Closing Show Open shooting closed for duration of display7:30 PM8:30 PMRace TrackWWB Staff
Afterglow10:00 PM2:00 AMQuality InnWWB Staff
Monday. February, 20th, 2023

Monday Cleanup

Cleanup is a simple task at WPA events. Everybody pays a cleanup deposit; $35 for WWB. Even board members, staff and sponsored guests pay the $35. Some of that money is paid to day labor, cleaning supplies and the like. The rest is refunded to the members who help with cleanup.

Cleanup starts at 9:00 on Monday.

Sign in when you arrive.
Sign out when you leave.
Cleanup is usually done about 1:00 PM.
Stay till the end, and you get lunch.
Get a refund check for hours worked in March.

Whatever money is left after expenses, is split by the people who stayed to clean up. Even if you can’t stay for the entire time, your deposit will be refunded based on an hourly basis. It’ll go beyond $35 quickly.

In prior years, each member who worked till the end received about $130.