This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
Prepare to be spellbound next Valentine’s Day and President’s Day Weekend at the 37th annual Western Winter Blast in Lake Havasu City! Get ready for a heart-pounding adventure with front row seats to breathtaking fireworks displays that will ignite the sky. During your six-night dry-camping Hangout in Lake Havasu, we’ll navigate our way through a scavenger hunt on land, unravel the secrets of the iconic London Bridge with a captivating guided walking tour, and set sail on the majestic Colorado River aboard a scenic paddle-wheeler cruise. We’ll also dive into the serenity of the Bridgewater Channel as we kayak under the majestic bridge. Don’t miss out on this electrifying journey packed with unforgettable moments! Header photo by Ellen Bates SKP#141920
Hangout Highlights
- Fireworks Extravaganza & Shows
- Lake Havasu Lunch Cruise
- Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge Guided Walk
- London Bridge Guided Walking Tour
- Valentine's Buffet Lunch
- Musical Entertainment
- Group Hiking, Biking & Kayaking
- 6-Nights Dry Camping
Enjoy 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 season. 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.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, you’ll be treated to some amazing firework shows! Watch close-up from the Speedway grandstand, where you’ll be able to appreciate the incredible ground displays as well as the aerials. Or watch from the Rodeo Grounds as we’ll be camped just 1/2 mile from the action!
Saturday night’s 90-minute-long choreographed show is the main event of the week! Other nights offer more informal shows, showcasing newly-designed and experimental pyrotechnics that you won’t see anywhere else.
Lake Havasu City offers plenty 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 60-foot long paddle-wheeler. The cruise travels from London Bridge to the scenic Copper Canyon, named for the abundance of tarnished copper that can be seen along the rock formations as well as the abandoned copper mine above the canyon. Your cruise includes a pizza lunch, and there’s a cash bar on board for drinks of your choice.
Social activity during our Hangout will feature a guided walking tour of the famous London Bridge, a ranger-led walk at the Bill Williams River Wildlife Refuge, a hike through a slot canyon, a scavenger hunt around the waterfront, optional kayaking on the Bridgewater Channel. Plus a potluck brunch and dinner, a Valentine’s lunch buffet and the traditional “GTHO” breakfast on departure morning!
Hangout location
Camping for the Winter Blast Hangout will be at the Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds. This is the same location where the Xscapers hold their Annual Bash each January. Several hundred other RVs who are not part of Escapees, will also be camping at the Rodeo Grounds to enjoy the fireworks. Our Hangout spots will be grouped together close to the action!
There will be some food trucks at the rodeo grounds as well as craft beer for sale from Mudshark Brewery, Live Music at the Pavilion, as well as a BBQ dinner & pancake breakfast available for a fee.
NOTE: ALL SITES ARE DRY CAMPING at the Rodeo Grounds.
You’ll arrive with your water tank full, gray and black tanks empty. Restrooms and showers are available. Generator usage will be permitted, except during night-time hours.
Although the Hangout doesn’t begin until Tuesday, February 11, you can arrive at the Rodeo Grounds on Monday, February 10, for no additional fee. However, there will be no Hangout or Winter Blast activities on Monday.
This Hangout is limited to only 30 RVs and tickets usually sell quickly—so don’t wait to register!
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 all day during weekdays and weekends
If this event is not right for you, please check out another Hangout. For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most scheduled 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).
Pet 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
Scheduled activities are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee, such as entrance and parking fees, optional meals or activities.
Monday February 10
- Optional Early Arrival to Rodeo Grounds
- No Hangout activities
Tuesday February 11
- Arrival at Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds
- Check-in with Hosts
- Welcome Gathering & Introductions
- Get to Know you Bingo
Wednesday February 12
- Dixie Belle Paddle-wheel cruise
- Pizza Lunch
- Campground activity – Club Talk
- Campfires
Thursday February 13
- London Bridge docent led walking tours *
- Scavenger Hunt
- Lunch at Burgers by the Bridge *
- Potluck Dinner
- Fireworks – Games in Camp
Friday February 14
- Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge guided ranger walk
- Valentine’s Buffet Lunch downtown
- Carpool to the Speedway
- Fireworks Show at the Havasu Speedway *
- Alternative: stay & view from Rodeo Grounds
Saturday February 15
- Potluck Brunch
- Kayaking * and/or E-Bike Ride
- Happy Hour & BYO Dinner (BBQ Dinner *)
- Fireworks Show viewed from Rodeo Grounds
- Alternative: return to the Speedway *
Sunday February 16
- Sea Scouts Pancake Breakfast *
- Group Hike to Sara’s Crack (Mod-Hard)
- Group Hike to Lizard (Easy-Mod)
- Happy Hour & Farewells
Monday May 13
- GTHO Breakfast
- Departure
Registration includes:
- 6 nights RV Dry Camping
- 4 nights of fireworks shows
- Paddle-wheeler lunch cruise on Lake Havasu to Copper Canyon
- Live Music at the Rodeo Grounds Pavilion
- Valentines Buffet Lunch & soft drink
- Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge Tour
- Hiking & biking
- Social activities
- GTHO departure day breakfast
- Hangout Hosts
Additional costs to consider: meals out, entrance fees, and optional activities
All activities listed for this event are subject to change.
Hangout Cost:
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RV site, 2 people $600
All sites are DRY-CAMPING ONLY
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Deduct for only 1 person -$50
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Each additional persons (including children) $50
For more than 2 people in the same RV
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OPTIONAL: Guided Walking Tour of Lake Havasu 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. $10/person.
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OPTIONAL: Kayak Rental $50
If you don't have your own kayak or paddleboard, we can rent single kayaks for $50/hour. Usually calm, flat water.
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Escapees RV Club Membership $49.95
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 Hangout, you are representing and agreeing to the following:
- 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.
- 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, audiotapes, 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 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, August 14, 2024.
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.
After you register
You will receive an email from registration@escapees.com with confirmation of your registration. If you don’t receive it, call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 329-6499 to ensure 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 Facebook group as our primary source of communication with Hangout attendees before and during the event.
You will receive a pre-arrival email about 30 days prior to the Hangout’s start date with details to help you plan for the Hangout.
Cancellations & Travel Insurance
Should you need to cancel your registration, call Escapees Event Registration ASAP at 936-329-6499 between 8 am and 4 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email registration@escapees.com.
Cancellation Policy Dates
Cancellations before 11:59pm Central Time on Friday, December 13, 2024 are entitled to a full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee.
Cancellations before 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, January 10, 2025 will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations made after 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, January 10, 2025.
All ticket sales on and after Saturday, January 11, 2025 are final.
This cancellation policy is firm. There are no exceptions.
If Escapees RV Club has to cancel the Hangout for any reason, you would receive a full refund of your registration fee.
Travel Insurance
Things can happen; and we don’t want you to be even more disappointed by not receiving a refund. We highly suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in this Hangout should you need to cancel. Insurance can also help cover unexpected illnesses, emergency medical and trip interruption expenses during the Hangout. If you or a family member has a pre-existing medical condition, consider purchasing trip cancellation or interruption insurance.
Waiting list
When this Hangout is sold out, please join the waiting list by completing the form below, when the waitlist opens. There are usually several cancellations before a Hangout, so should a spot open up and you’re next on the waiting list, you may get another shot at registration!