Event Schedule

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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5″ Ball Shell Workshop – Part I, Introduction to Ball Shells

Seminar | Tent 1

Thursday, 02/15
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Jim Widmann | Mike Garrett

Lecture session – Have you ever wanted to build a round ball shells? Then this workshop is a good place to start.  This workshop will teach you how . . . to make your own 5” paper ball shell. Working with experienced shell builders, you will get hands-on knowledge that will guide you in building a ball shell that looks and performs just like the pros.  There are three workshop parts: The first part, ‘Introduction to Ball Shells’, has a tutorial, demonstration and Q&A. That is followed by Part II for the assembly and wrapping of your shell. A fleet of WASP machines will be used to expedite this procedure. The shell is then dried overnight.  On the following day, in the third session, you will apply the lift and leader to the shell.  Your shell can be fired that night on the B-line in a special area just for us. ‘Introduction to Ball Shells’ is available free to everyone but is a required prerequisite for the Ball Shell workshops.

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Advanced Cylinder Shell Considerations

Seminar | Tent 2

Thursday, 02/15
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Whitney Petersen

In this session large and complicated cylinder shells will be discussed. Details such as what does it take to get these bad boys into the air . . . successfully, what happens when you try to do multiple breaks with complicated timing, etc. It will be an open discussion where ideas and techniques can be shared.

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PGI Shooter’s Certification Course – Lecture

Seminar | Tent 1

Thursday, 02/15
12:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Josh Lazarus | John Steinberg | Paul Smith

This course is an accepted safety course for licensing in many states. It is a must do course for anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of . . . current NFPA regulations, requirements, and safety protocols for commercial fireworks displays. The course includes a classroom lecture, hands on field work, and a written test. Those who desire to apply for PGI certification must attend all parts of the course and pass the test. Everyone can learn something new from this class. The class will be held over 2 days. The lecture portion will be held on Thursday February 15th from noon to 5pm. The hands on field work and test will be held on Friday February 16th from 9am to 1pm. Bring a pen and/or highlighter to the class for taking notes. For the field portion you will need the following personal protective equipment: safety glasses, hard hat, closed toe shoes, long sleeve shirt and pants made of 100% cotton or other flame retardant material (turnout gear is acceptable.) Also bring something to drink and snacks if you desire. Winter Blast registrants will receive their WPA “B” firing line wristband and stickers at the conclusion of the Friday session. Please be on time, as due to a tight time schedule, no information can be repeated for late attendees.

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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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PGI Shooter’s Certification Course – Practical

Seminar | B-Line

Friday, 02/16
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Josh Lazarus | John Steinberg | Paul Smith

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CASFM Licensing Procedures and Current Topics

Seminar | Tent 1

Friday, 02/16
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Caleb Phillips | Vijay Mepani | Margo Lund

This course will be taught by representatives from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. Topics include Regulations Update, an overview of . . . the licensing system and a Q&A. This class is great opportunity for those interested in updates to Title 19 and those who are considering becoming licensed or upgrading their license.

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Pyrotography – How to Set Up and Take Killer Fireworks Photos

Seminar | Tent 1

Friday, 02/16
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM

Tom Calderwood | Tom Handel

Photographing fireworks with a digital camera is a challenge. Tom is an accomplished fireworks photographer who will give many tips during this . . . seminar for getting that *perfect* fireworks picture. The class discussion will include camera and related equipment use, camera settings, computer processing, and setup locations. Tom has a no-secret policy and is more than willing to share if you want to catch him later. He has a passion for the beauty that fire has, and is ever in pursuit of getting better in his craft. Tom Handel will be on hand during this seminar to moderate.

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Fire Extinguishers – Various Types and How to Use Them

Seminar | Member Bleachers

Friday, 02/16
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Antonio Restivo

Fire Safety is EVERYONES responsibility and as professionals in the business we should know what to do in case of an emergency. This class includes a . . . fun tutorial of many different types of fire extinguishers and the uses and types of fire, to actually starting a small fire where each student has to perform PASS (Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep) and put it out. Basic skills learned in this fire safety class will stay with you the rest of your life.

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PGI Shooter’s Certification Course – Test

Seminar | Hospitality Tent

Friday, 02/16
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Josh Lazarus | John Steinberg | Paul Smith

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Getting the most out of Electrical Firing and Wiring: the basics

Seminar | Tent 1

Friday, 02/16
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM

Don Kark

A lot of people use their electrical firing systems today with a bit of luck. They run their wires, attach their e-matches, and hope for the best. . . . This session will shed some light on how electrical firing works, and how to get the most out of electrical firing, especially when using one cue to fire multiple devices. You will learn how some common types of initiators work, how to wire them in both serial and parallel arrangements (and which style is best in certain situations). We will discuss the simple “ohms law” and it’s use in electrical firing. We will also show some rules of thumb to simplify the calculations when using long runs of wire of various lengths and diameter. Finally, we will also touch on cold-weather firing of devices, and why certain types of initiators are better than others. With a pencil and a calculator, you can take the guesswork out of your site planning.

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One Island – 72 Fireworks Factories

Seminar | Tent 1

Friday, 02/16
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM

Mark Devon | Mitch Piatt | Kevin Mather

This presentation will begin with international man of mystery and wanna be Maltese shell builder Mark Devon doing a slide show travelog style about . . . his first time visit to the island last April for the 2023 international fireworks symposium and visit to the factory in Gudja arranged by his low life Austria fireworks BFFs he met at the host hotel bar. Followed by Mitch Piatt who has been to the island 10 times, knows several of the big cheeses in the Maltese fireworks lasagna. Between him and our outgoing club president probably is the repository for 99% of what is known about Maltese fireworks in the United States.

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Introduction to Black Powder Rockets

Seminar | Tent 2

Friday, 02/16
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Kurt Medlin | Steve Majdali | Scott Morton

Traditional black powder rockets are a perennial favorite at Winter Blast. We will demonstrate how to make a “one-pound” black powder rocket. Starting . . . with a few simple tools, a tube, some clay, a few ounces of black powder composition, and a stick, the presenters will explain all the elements that go into making a successful rocket as they demonstrate the technique.

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Chlorate and Colored Flames in 19th Century Pyrotechny

Seminar | Tent 1

Friday, 02/16
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Barry Sturman

The addition of potassium chlorate to the pyrotecnist’s stock of ingredients in the early 19th century led to the development of a full range of . . . bright, distinctive colours. The story of that development will be outlined, along with a discussion of some of the early compositions in the light of modern science

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Introduction to Building Fireworks

Seminar | Tent 2

Saturday, 02/17
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Eric Krug

This seminar is for people that want to start building pyro and don’t really know where to start. Topics include the following: Legalities, Good . . . Reference Websites, Safety, Setting up a place to work, What to steal from the kitchen when nobody is looking, Low-cost tools to purchase, and Basic chemicals. A few projects will be demonstrated including making Meal Powder, Cutting Stars, and Pumping Comets.

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Getting an ATF Explosive License/Permit

Seminar | Tent 1

Saturday, 02/17
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Joey Rothman | Paul Smith | John Steinberg

What is the ATF and why should you care? This seminar will go over the ins and out of getting an ATF explosive license/permit for commercial and . . . amateur fireworks. Questions to be answered are: When are you required to have a license? What am I allowed to do with a license? How do you get one? What are the penalties for not having a license? Is it worth the trouble to get a license?

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