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Winter Blast Hangout 2024 – SOLD OUT
February 13 - February 19
Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds • Lake Havasu City, AZ • February 13-19, 2024
Cover photo by Dan & Amy Knowles SKP# 141715
This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
Hangout Highlights:
- Fireworks Extravaganza & Shows
- Lake Havasu Lunch Cruise
- Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge Guided Walk
- London Bridge Guided Walking Tour
- Museum of History Guided Tour
- Valentine's and Tailgate Parties
- Mix & Mingle Happy Hour
- Musical Entertainment
- Group Hiking and Biking
- 6-Nights Dry Camping
Be part of one of the world's best fireworks extravaganzas!
Western Winter Blast, held each President’s Day Weekend, is the premier pyrotechnics event of the winter. Fireworks manufacturers, show producers and pyrotechnic hobbyists come to Winter Blast from around the globe to light up the night sky over Lake Havasu City with fireworks shows and demonstrations. Experience our six-night WinterBlast Hangout pyrotechnics extravaganza and several outdoor activities in the Lake Havasu City area.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, you’ll be treated to some of the best shimmer and sparkle firework shows on the planet. Saturday night’s 90-minute-long choreographed show is the main event of the week! We’ll start Saturday afternoon off with a catered tailgate party at the Lake Havasu Speedway. Then you’ll watch the fireworks up-close from the grandstands, where you’ll be able to appreciate the incredible ground displays as well as the aerials. The other nights offer more informal shows, often showcasing newly-designed and experimental pyrotechnics that you won’t see anywhere else.
Lake Havasu City also offers plenty of daytime fun on land and water. Your Hangout registration includes a two-hour chartered cruise on Lake Havasu aboard the Dixie Belle, a custom-built and recently restored 60-foot long paddle-wheeler. The cruise travels south from the London Bridge to scenic Copper Canyon, so named for the abundance of tarnished copper that can be seen along the rock formations as well as the abandoned copper mine atop the canyon. Your cruise includes a pizza lunch, and there’s a cash bar on board for drinks of your choice.
Social activity highlights during our Hangout will feature a guided walking tour of the famous London Bridge, a guided walking tour of the wildlife refuge, a docent-led tour of the Lake Havasu History Museum, hiking through a slot canyon, a pyrotechnics talk by a representative from the Western Pyrotechnics Association, a potluck brunch and dinner, and our traditional “GTHO” breakfast on departure morning and much more.
Hangout location
Camping for the Winter Blast Hangout will be at the Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds. This is the same site where the Xscapers hold their Annual Bash each January. Several hundred other RVs (not part of Escapees) will also be camping at the Rodeo Grounds in connection with Winter Blast. Our sites will be grouped together.
ALL SITES ARE DRY CAMPING at the Rodeo Grounds.
There is a water fill and dump station on-site. However you arrive with your water tank full, gray and black tanks empty. Restrooms and showers are available. Generator usage will be permitted except during nighttime hours.
Although the Hangout doesn’t begin until Tuesday, February 13, you can arrive at the Rodeo Grounds on Monday, February 12, for no additional fee. However, there will be no Hangout or Winter Blast activities on Monday.
Is this event right for me?
Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events and every activity is optional. With that said, the Winter Blast Hangout is best suited for members who:
- enjoy walking and hiking up to 5 miles
- are comfortable with and equipped for 6-nights of dry camping
- can participate in activities during weekdays (traditional working/business hours)
For events designed specifically for working-age RVers–consider an Xscapers Convergence. Or for an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, consider the club’s Head-Out Programs (HOPs).
A note for dog owners
The organizers of Winter Blast strongly discourage campers from bringing dogs to the event because of the continuous loud noises associated with the nearby fireworks displays. In fact, Dylan’s Dog Park inside SARA Park is named after a dog that died during a fireworks show. For this reason, you may wish to consider boarding your dog during the Winter Blast Hangout.
If you do choose to bring your dog, the Rodeo Grounds has the following rules:
- Dogs must never be left unattended.
- Dogs must always be on a leash when outside your RV.
- Dogs may not be brought to the grandstands or food court area (but elsewhere on the Rodeo Grounds is OK).
- No dog waste may be left anywhere other than in a trash receptacle.
The Rodeo Grounds management has advised us that they may ask campers to leave, without a refund, if a barking dog is left unattended in an RV.
Schedule
Activities and schedule are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee.
Tuesday 2/13
Arrive at SARA Park Rodeo Grounds
Welcome Gathering & Introductions
Wednesday 2/14
London Bridge docent led walking tour *
Lunch in Lake Havasu City *
Lake Havasu Museum of History guided tour
WPA Pyrotechnics Talk
Valentine’s Day Party
Thursday 2/15
Dixie Belle paddle wheeler cruise on Lake Havasu with lunch
Meet the Xscapers Happy Hour
Fireworks Demonstration
Friday 2/16
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge guided walk
Happy Hour and Hangout BYO Dinner
Fireworks Display
Saturday 2/17
Potluck Brunch
E-bike Ride
Speedway Tailgate Party
Fireworks Extravaganza at Havasu Speedway
Sunday
2/18
Sea Scout Pancake Breakfast *
Sara’s Crack Group Hike
Potluck Dinner
Fireworks Display
Monday 2/19
GTHO Breakfast
Departure
Registration includes:
- 6 nights RV Dry Camping
- 3 nights of fireworks shows (including admission & parking at Havasu Speedway for Saturday’s show)
- WPA pyrotechnics talk
- Paddle-wheeler lunch cruise on Lake Havasu to Copper Canyon
- Musical entertainment at Rodeo Grounds (Friday-Sunday)
- Valentines and Tailgate Parties
- History Museum Tour
- Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge Tour
- Hiking & biking
- Social activities
- GTHO departure day breakfast
- Hangout Hosts
Additional costs to consider: meals out and optional activities
All activities listed for this event are subject to change.
Hangout price
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RV site, 2 people $625
All sites are DRY CAMPING ONLY.
-
Deduct for only 1 person -$50
-
Each additional person (including children) $110
For more than 2 people in same rig
-
Optional Activity: Guided Walking Tour of London Bridge $10
The half-mile, 90-minute walking tour strolls along and across the sparkling Bridgewater Channel. You'll learn the fascinating history of how the bridge got to its unlikely home in Arizona. Must be able to walk up and down 55 steps. Alternative is a free self-guided walking tour.
You must be an Escapees RV Club member to attend this event. If you are not currently a member, you will be able to add a new membership during the registration process.
By registering for this event, you are representing and agreeing to the following (click to expand):
- You are physically capable of participating in the event.
- Your recreational vehicle, other vehicles, and any other equipment you may use to participate in the event will be in working condition.
- You will observe all applicable laws (including obtaining relevant licenses) and event rules, and will conduct yourself in a safe and prudent manner while participating in the event.
- That although volunteers may be directing and assisting you to your parking area, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and is solely responsible for any damage to your property or the property of others.
- You accept and assume all risks arising from participation in the event, and waive and release all claims against Escapees or its affiliates relating to such participation.
- You consent to receive medical treatment deemed necessary if you are injured or require medical attention during your participation in the event, and agree that you are solely responsible for all related costs.
- You grant your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audio taped or photographed, and grant to Escapees full use thereof without compensation.
- You will receive occasional email notifications of future Escapees events; however, you can opt-out of these notifications at any time.
The above is only a summary. Please carefully read the full the terms and conditions, assumption of risk, and waiver of claims agreement that will be provided to you during the registration process.
How to register
To register, click the button below and follow the instructions on your screen. If you need assistance with your registration, please call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 329-6499 or email registration@escapees.com.
Registration opened Wednesday, September 6, 2023
at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list below. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
After you register
Watch for an email from registration@escapees.com for a confirmation of your registration. If you don’t receive it, call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 329-6499 to be sure that your registration was processed correctly.
After you register, please join the private Hangout group on Facebook (a link to this group will be in your confirmation email). We will use this group to communicate with Hangout attendees before and during the event. You will also receive one or more emails before the Hangout with more information as needed.
Cancellations & Travel Insurance
Should you need to cancel your registration, call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 329-6499 between 8 am and 4 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email registration@escapees.com. You may be entitled to a partial refund of your registration fees, depending on when we receive your cancellation:
- On or before Friday, December 15, 2023: $50 cancellation fee, remainder of payment refunded
- Saturday, December 16, 2023 through Friday, January 12, 2024: 50% refund of full event cost
- After Friday, January 12, 2024: no refund.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance after registering to protect your investment in the Hangout if you must cancel due to unexpected illness, death, or certain other contingencies. Travel insurance can also help to cover medical and trip interruption expenses for emergencies that occur during the Hangout. Pre-existing medical conditions are waived as long as you purchased your insurance within 15 days after your Hangout registration fee payment. Get a personalized online travel insurance quote now.
Waiting list
If this Hangout is sold out when you try to register, please join the waiting list by completing the form below. There are usually several cancellations before a Hangout…so if a spot opens up and you’re the next one on the waiting list, you’ll get another shot at registration! (Note: please don’t join the waiting list unless and until the Hangout sells out. Entries received before that time will be ignored.)
Waiting list
If this Hangout is sold out when you try to register, please join the waiting list by completing the form below.
