20th Sky Wars Competition
Meet The 2026 Artists
2026 Pro-Am Competitors
Nathan Dexter (Carmel, IN)
A decade into his pyro obsession, Nathan Dexter is trading the family-and-friends backyard circuit for the biggest stage in American fireworks. With a perfectionist’s eye for choreography, a crew of close pyro friends at his side, and a signature stash of DIY single shots, Nathan is bringing his all to Sky Wars in September.
Chad Flanders (Hickman, NE)
Fourteen years into a pyro career, Chad Flanders has yet to compete as a pyro choreographer — until now. This Nebraska-based fireworks entrepreneur is the wild card of the 2026 Pro-Am field! Armed with a love of classic rock, a family crew, and a reputation for epic finales, Chad is ready to make his competition debut at Sky Wars 2026.
Jacob Pierce (Parker, TX)
From loading up at his nearby fireworks stand after turning 18 to presenting on the biggest pyrotechnic competition stage in America, Jacob’s rise as a pyrotechnician has been fast and largely self-taught. This Texas native is bringing a head full of cinematic music, a signature obsession with ground effects, and “more than zero” lifts to Sky Wars!
2026 Professional Competitors – Championship of Champions
John Mikrut Jr. (Princeton, IL) w/ RKM Fireworks – 2025 Champion
The pyro bug has brought John quite far from his early days assisting with backyard shows nearly two decades ago. Last year he was a fresh RKM recruit and competed at Sky Wars for the first time — and came out with a big win!
Donnie Toms (Wellington, MO) w/ Kansas City Area Pyrotechnicians – 2023 Champion
A longtime backyard enthusiast turned pro shooter and 2023 Sky Wars champion with a record-setting display, Donnie’s gearing up to bring his KCAP pals back in full force for our highly anticipated 2026 Championship of Champions.
Tyler Cole (Hughesville, MD) w/ IPC Displays – 2022 Champion
The first ever winner of our Professional division-turned-championship returns! Once the youngest competitor in Sky Wars’ history, Tyler has learned a lot since his 2022 Sky Wars debut and is preparing for the big showdown on September 26, 2026.
🇺🇸 National Anthem Display
Scott Smith – Missouri Pyrotechnics Association
The Sky Wars National Anthem display is often described as “the best show” our audience has ever seen – and it’s the first show of the night!
Our 2026 National Anthem will be presented by 2023 Pro-Am Champion of Champions and MOpyro member Scott Smith.
Fireballs!
Bill Corbett w/ Fireball Dudes (Memphis, TN)
The MVP of the fireball world is back at it again! Bill and his crew of Fireball Dudes are ready to turn up the heat with their humongous signature gasoline fireballs.