Winterblast 2004

[Rod-64]

Link says it will be at SARA park this year............didn't they do it on the island last year?????
Who's going???

[Rod-64]

Winterblast to once again light up the skies of
Lake Havasu City
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. While news of a convention generally doesn't interest many people outside the field that will be meeting, one annual convention in Lake Havasu City always has lots of people talking.
The Western Pyrotechnics Association will once again be meeting in Lake Havasu City February 18-20 for the 16th annual Winter Blast. This isn't just a group of fireworks enthusiasts getting together to talk about issues facing the industry. For this group of people, actions speak louder than words. Pryrotechnicians, or 'pyros' as they sometimes call themselves, enjoy topping each other with brilliant displays of fireworks magic at this annual convention. The pyros show off their latest developments in fireworks technology, from charges that detonate in more and more complex shapes each year, to new color combinations. The 'meeting' culminates in a public display during the Saturday night of the event, the WPA's way of thanking the city and its residents for the few days of bangs and booms that can be heard.
"The show is one of the most spectacular displays you will ever see," said Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau promotions manager Jarrod Lyman. "Each year I think that there is no way they will be able to top some of the effects they came up with. Sure enough, the next year I'm proven wrong," he said.
The experts that gather each year are proven industry professionals. They have put on major events such as New Years shows for Las Vegas casinos and have done pyrotechnics for Hollywood features. The resulting show is a mixture of high flying rockets with a myriad of colors and explosions on the ground that rival the special effects of anything seen in a major motion picture. One popular display last year was a series of large, mushroom shaped blasts, each one a different color. There were the standard yellow and red fire balls, and even blue and green ones that had the entire crowd looking on in amazement.
The Saturday display is free of charge, with the best viewing being at SARA Park, where the convention is held. Many other people prefer to set up camp on one of the many hills in the area where they still get a clear view of the fireworks. "A lot of people take the opportunity to spend the night beneath the stars," Lyman said. "What better incentive to get the whole family to enjoy the outdoors than this fireworks show. It's hard to take kids away from their televisions sometimes these days, but this show will definitely compete, and help you to get them outdoors for a while."
"It's definitely a family friendly event," said CVB CEO Dan Cunning. "There is plenty of seating at SARA Park, not to mention concessions and food and clothing vendors. A lot of people make a whole evening out of the convention, not only coming out for the show, but for dinner as well," he said.
The Winter Blast XVI Annual Western Pyrotechnics Convention is held Feb. 18-20. Info: (800) 242-8278, www.golakehavasu.com

[HavaTan]

Friday night they do a display at Sara Park and then on Saturday night I believe is the display of the point in Thompson Bay.
Can't wait for it, should be a good time and praying for good weather.

[shueman]

One of RRM's pix from last year....
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1761fireworks3-med.JPG
Should be fun....bundle up...!!

[SoCal_fun]

We'll be there on the boat. I hope if the display is at SARA park, you can see it okay from the bay?
Where is SARA park in relation to the bay?