for a pyromaniac, wanna be terrorist, mad bomber, anarchist or libertarian i bet this would be a fun convention to attend. and its only a few hours drive from any where in Arizona at Lake Havasu City! Remember that name - its the annual "Winterblast" held by the "Western Pyrotechnics Association convention" and go next year. Original Article 'Pyros' gather for their annual big bang Feb. 18, 2006 12:00 AM If you happen to pass through Lake Havasu City this weekend, don't worry, you haven't entered a war zone. The explosions you hear are just coming from a convention. The very loud Western Pyrotechnics Association convention. "We really rock their town," said Russ Laurie, president of the 3,000-member association, which has been holding its annual "Winterblast" convention in Lake Havasu City for the past several years. As the group's name implies, it is made up of professional fireworks manufacturers, distributors and show operators. Or, as they call themselves, "pyros." For four days every February, they gather in Lake Havasu City to test and show off their newest products. One of the highlights this year: The association plans to set off 1 million firecrackers hung on a steel cable. And there is the annual public extravaganza, scheduled for tonight, when the association shoots off more than $100,000 worth of fireworks. "It's a Fourth of July show on steroids," Laurie said. And what do the townspeople think if all that noise? "Some people like it, and some people don't," he said. SNIP