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Welcome to MAPAG!
Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (MAPAG) fireworks club. MAPAG is a fireworks club for hobby fireworks builders and rocket enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our club is modeled after other builders clubs such as Florida Pyrotechnics Arts Guild (FPAG), the Wisconsin Pyrotechnics Arts Guild (WPAG), and the Michigan Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (MPAG).
MAPAG is a fireworks manufacturing club. Manufacturing clubs function differently from consumer fireworks clubs. To get an idea of what MAPAG is all about, check out the link titled What is MAPAG?. You can also get answers to common questions by reading our FAQ.
MAPAG was established in November 2012, and we have come a long way since our initial formation. These are some of the things MAPAG offers to its members:
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We have a 40 foot Type IV magazine containing over four tons of fireworks and fireworks components for member use. We also have a Type II high explosives indoor magazine to meet ATF licensing requirements.
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We have a 32x16 workshop; an ATF approved in-process building for drying shells, stars, and other in-process components; a press building with three presses for making rockets, comets, and pumped stars; a large pavilion for teaching classes and building fireworks; a 20 foot container for storing chemicals, paper, tubes, and other components; and a second 20 foot container for storing mortar tubes and racks.
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For equipment, we have enough HDPE mortar racks to support a large fireworks show, with sizes ranging from 3 inches to 16 inches; approximately 15 steel guns in sizes from 3 inches to 10 inches; a WASP Super Stringer machine for wrapping shells; a large collection of rocket tooling and star pumps; three presses, including a Wolter press; a complete collection of screens in all common sizes; and a nice assortment of chemicals, paper, and paper tubes.
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We provide contingency storage for club members that have their own ATF permits, and we have a variance with the ATF that allows our members with ATF licenses to use our club magazine to store their own materials.
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MAPAG is incorporated under IRS 501(c)7 as a not-for-profit club, caries $2MM of liability and D&O insurance, and maintains compliance with all regulatory agencies for display permits, magazines, and other requirements. MAPAG has approximately 90 members and is growing. Best of all, due to the generosity of our members, the club is solvent and has zero debt.
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MAPAG is also about food and friends. We have a club-wide pot luck dinner on Saturday night that is always a huge feast. These pot luck dinners have recently extended themselves into the Thursday and Friday night timeframe as well. Other clubs have afterglows, we have gourmet buffets! Plus, our events have been some of the best times any of us have ever had building fireworks. Club members are very friendly, and the land owner has been awesome to us. And when the fireworks are over for the evening, we camp in the field and hang out around the camp fire.
Unless you are a PGI member, you cannot attend MAPAG as a guest. The good news is that membership in MAPAG is less than what it would cost you to be a guest at most other clubs in the area. Members can bring their significant other, children (any age), and parents to events with them. You can find out how to join MAPAG in the menu on the left side of the web page. You can also signup for the club email list by going to this web page:
http://www.accelix.net/mailman/listinfo/mapag
You don't have to be a member to be on the club email list. However, we believe that once you see how awesome MAPAG is, you will want to signup. See you soon at one of our shoots.
MAPAG • Mid-Atlantic Pyrotechnic Arts Guild •