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Winter Blast Hangout 2023 (SOLD OUT/Waiting List)

February 15, 2023 - February 20, 2023

Winter Blast Hangout 2023 (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 1

SARA Park Rodeo Grounds • Lake Havasu City, AZ • February 15-20, 2023

This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!

This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!

Witness 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 for daytime conferences. Then at night, the sky over Lake Havasu City lights up with fireworks shows and demonstrations. Our five-day Winter Blast Hangout will let you and your fellow Escapees experience this pyrotechnics extravaganza, along with several outdoor activities in the Lake Havasu City area.

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, you’ll be treated to some of the best fireworks shows on the planet. Saturday night’s 90-minute-long choreographed show is the main event of the week, and this year you’ll get to watch it up-close at the grandstands at the Havasu Speedway, where you’ll be able to appreciate the incredible ground displays as well as the aerials. The other three nights are devoted to more informal shows, often showcasing newly-designed and experimental pyrotechnics that you won’t see anywhere else. You and your fellow Escapees will enjoy those shows from the Rodeo Grounds grandstands.

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.

SARA's Crack hike 2022

Other days during the Hangout will feature a 5-mile (round trip) hike through a nearby slot canyon, a pyrotechnics talk by a representative from the Western Pyrotechnics Association, a bicycle ride to downtown Lake Havasu City for ice cream, off-roading in a nearby OHV area (either in your own 4WD vehicle or one you rent), a progressive happy hour, a potluck brunch, and our traditional “GTHO” breakfast on departure morning.

Hangout location

Winter Blast Hangout 2023 (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 3Camping for the Winter Blast Hangout will be at the SARA Park 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 at the Rodeo Grounds are DRY CAMPING ONLY. There is a water fill and dump station on-site, as well as restrooms. A “honey wagon” service for wastewater pump-outs will also be available on Friday through Monday for an additional fee. Generator usage will be permitted except during nighttime hours.

Although the Hangout doesn’t begin until Wednesday, February 15, you can arrive at the Rodeo Grounds on Monday, February 13 or Tuesday, February 14 if you wish for no additional fee. However, there will be no Hangout or Winter Blast activities on those days.

This Hangout is limited to only 35 RVs and tickets will go quickly—so don’t wait to register

Is this event right for me?

Winter Blast Hangout 2023 (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 4Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events. With that said, the Winter Blast Hangout is best suited for members who:

  • enjoy hiking and walking
  • are comfortable with and equipped for dry camping
  • can participate in activities during weekdays (traditional working/business hours)

For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most activities in the evenings and on weekends, try an Xscapers Convergence. Or for more of an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, you may prefer one of our Head-Out Programs (HOPs).

A note for dog owners

Winter Blast Hangout 2023 (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 5

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 dropped dead during the fireworks in a prior year. 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.

Wednesday 2/15

Arrive at SARA Park Rodeo Grounds

WPA pyrotechnics talk

Welcome campfire & introductions

Thursday 2/16

Dixie Belle paddle wheeler cruise on Lake Havasu with lunch

Progressive happy hour

Fireworks show

Friday 2/17

SARA’s Crack slot canyon hike

Happy hour & Hangout dinner

Fireworks show

Saturday 2/18

Potluck Brunch

Bike ride to Scoops Homemade Ice Cream*

Group lunch in town*

Fireworks Extravaganza at Havasu Speedway

Sunday 2/19

Sea Scouts pancake breakfast*

Hike on Blue Trail or Lizard Peak Loop

Offroading in Standard Wash OHV Area

Happy hour & Hangout dinner

Fireworks show

Monday 2/20

GTHO Breakfast

Departure

Registration includes:

  • 5 nights RV camping (dry camping only)
  • 4 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)
  • Hiking & biking
  • Social activities
  • GTHO departure day breakfast
  • Hangout hosts

Additional costs to consider: meals out

All activities listed for this event are subject to change.

Hangout price

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.

  • 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

Registration opens Wednesday, September 7, 2022
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 16, 2022: $50 cancellation fee, remainder of payment refunded
  • Saturday, December 17, 2022 through Monday, January 16, 2023: 50% refund of full event cost
  • After Monday, January 16, 2023: no refund

We 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.)

Details

Start:
February 15, 2023
End:
February 20, 2023
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Website:
escapees.com/hangouts

Venue

Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds
Dub Campbell Pkwy
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406 United States
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