Pyrotechnics event company Blast Events will present its International Fireworks Championship in Las Vegas for the first time next month.
Teams from the U.S., the U.K., Japan and Germany will each launch 12- to 15-minute fireworks shows at the Strip section of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Feb. 21.
Three expert judges will evaluate the shows for their design, choreography and technical execution. While there is no monetary award for the champ, the winner receives a trophy and bragging rights. Guests will be asked to scan a QR code to vote for the People's Choice Award.
"This International Fireworks Championship won't be like any of the fireworks you've seen before -- even in Las Vegas," said Bruce Tyree, founder and CEO of Blast Events, who has more than 35 years of experience in the industry. "These are incredibly intense and creative displays, exploding lower to the ground -- and they're all highly choreographed and synchronized to music. It's a full-on sensory experience."
A matinee performance, too
In addition to the main event, Ricardo Caballer, co-founder and creative director of Ricasa Fireworks in Valencia, Spain, will attempt to set a world record for the largest aerial mascleta. The daylight fireworks display primarily consists of loud concussions, whistles and smoke, all released in a rhythmic tempo and design that ends with an especially loud finale.
Participants, who must have previously won one of the esteemed fireworks championships around the world, are:
• Timo Luttmann and Daniel Schaffler, ToF Feuerwerk, Germany. They won the first International Fireworks Championship in Traverse City, Mich., in 2023.
• Kentaro Saito, Hibikiya Omagari Hanabi, Japan, a fifth-generation pyrotechnician with 28 years of professional experience.
• Iain Keightley, Selstar Fireworks, U.K., who has worked at international events including Bonfire Night Celebrations, Saudi National Day and the Cannes International Fireworks Competition.
• Tyler Wiesmann and Joe Rozzi, Rozzi Famous Fireworks, U.S.
While the concept was born in Traverse City and will be staged there this year, as well, Tyree said, "We wanted to expand this experience to a new venue in a new market as we aim to grow the International Fireworks Championship."
Gates at the speedway will open at 2:30 p.m., with the first fireworks show starting about 6 p.m. There will be 15-minute, entertainment-filled breaks between each show, with the program concluding around 8:30 p.m.
Early Bird ticket prices are $95 (plus tax) per person for general admission and $144 for reserved seats. Prices include parking and fees.