Event Schedule

Below is the MOST CURRENT 2024 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)

 

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Winter Blast - Public - Session Search

Comet Workshop Prep

Workshop | Tent 3

Wednesday, 02/14
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Steve Wilson

In this session we will weigh, mix, screen and dampen all of the comps that will be used in the Comets Workshop happening the next day. A good . . . opportunity to learn how to handle chemicals.

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Go Getter Prep Workshop

Workshop | Tent 3

Wednesday, 02/14
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monty Gill | Monica Blam

In this session we will prime all of the Go Getter inserts that will be used in the 4″ & 5″ Go Getter Workshop on Thursday. Please come lend a . . . hand on this task, even if you are not registered in the class.

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Star Plates & Comet Pumps Overview

Seminar | Tent 3

Thursday, 02/15
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Ben Smith | Steve Wilson

This seminar is a required prerequisite for the 2″ comet workshop that immediately follows this presentation. In this seminar the details of using . . . star plates and comet pumps will be discussed. Force vs. pressure calculations will be presented so the participants get a good understanding of how and why they are different and why it matters. We will also address techniques to keep your fingers out of harms way.

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2″ Comets – Part I

Workshop | Tent 3

Thursday, 02/15
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Steve Wilson | Scott Morton | Clara Carstensen

This is a multi-part workshop with a prerequisite seminar. To attend this workshop participants are required to attend the session ‘Star Plates & . . . Comet Pumps Overview’ – No Exceptions. This will get the participants set up to be successful and safe in the next parts. In this workshop participants will make two 2″ comets that they can fire on the B-line the following day. Various compositions will be available to choose from to give a little creative variety. Participants will have the choice of making glitter comets, married comets, cavity or crossettes. Once pressed, the comets need to dry overnight in our heated drying box. On the following day participants can lift and leader the comet to make a finished device. Completed devices will be available on the B-line for firing Friday evening.

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6″ Double Petal Ball Shell Workshop – Part I

Workshop | Tent 3

Thursday, 02/15
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Ellen Webb

In this hands-on workshop participants will build 6” round double petal chrysanthemum shells. Using the traditional Japanese method, the inner petal . . . will be formed with only black powder-coated rice hulls and tissue paper. It is recommended that participants have some shell-building experience beforehand. The 5” Ball Shell workshop, for instance, would provide an excellent background.

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Building Multiple Rockets with One Set of Tooling

Seminar | Tent 3

Friday, 02/16
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Ben Smith

This seminar will detail the general construction of a variety of rockets using one set of tooling. Information detailing making fuels and basic shop . . . safety guidelines will also be covered. Nozzled BP, nozzleless BP, whistle and strobe rocket construction will all be detailed. Though this class will use the FireSmith Super BP Core Burn tools, the basic techniques, fuels and safety guidelines are applicable to the construction of just about any type of rocket. A batch of benzoate whistle fuel will be made during this seminar. The making of strobe fuel will also be covered.

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6″ Double Petal Ball Shell Workshop – Part II

Workshop | Tent 3

Friday, 02/16
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Ellen Webb

Lift and Leader of 6” round double petal chrysanthemum shells. Using the traditional Japanese method, the inner petal will be formed with only black . . . powder-coated rice hulls and tissue paper. It is recommended that participants have some shell-building experience beforehand. The 5” Ball Shell workshop, for instance, would provide an excellent background.

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Set Pieces for Beginners

PIT Crew | Tent 3

Friday, 02/16
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Lynden King | PIT Crew Staff

Set pieces, also known as brightwork, have been made for hundreds of years to augment various kinds of displays. Often shown as large words or flags, . . . many approaches to this art can be used, sometimes dictated by materials available and/or how the piece will be displayed. Using lance, drivers, and a bit of woodworking know-how, we’ll build dynamic set pieces to be displayed in Saturday and Sunday night’s displays.

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2″ Comets – Part II, Lift & Leader

Workshop | Tent 3

Saturday, 02/17
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Steve Wilson | Scott Morton | Clara Carstensen

In part two of the 2″ Comets workshop married comets will be joined and all participants will lift and leader their comets. The finished comet devices . . . will be available on the B-line for firing later that evening.

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4″ Italian Shell Workshop – Part 2

Workshop | Tent 3

Saturday, 02/17
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Kurt Medlin | Scott Morton | Roberto Ramirez | Joseph Madziarczyk

Lift and Leader the 4″ Italian Shells made on Friday morning. In this session we will cover finish the shells by adding a length of quickmatch, . . . wrapping the shell in a decorative paper, measure out the right amount of lift powder and tie it all in with string for a professional and festive appearance, ready to shoot.

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Fundamentals of Hydraulic Presses

Seminar | Tent 3

Sunday, 02/18
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Ben Smith

An overview of hydraulic presses for pyrotechnics. This seminar will cover the basic operation, safety concerns, and applications as it pertains to . . . making pyrotechnic devices.

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