Burning Man has sold out of tickets for the first time in its 25-year history, and there won't even be any last-minute tickets available at the gate for hopeful pilgrims, according to the The Burning Blog (official site). Event organizers give a stern warning for those without tickets to "NOT show up at the Gate." And in keeping with the spirit of an event that eschews the exchange of money, people who plan to sell their tickets are encouraged to do so at face value ($210 or $360), or even give them away.
According to the San Francisco Examiner, last year's fest saw 51,454 attendees. This year's event, from August 29 - September 5, is expected to host even more people. Self-described in a nutshell as "an annual experiment in temporary community dedicated to radical self-expression and radical self-reliance," Burning Man is known for its large-scale art installations, holistic community vibe, remarkable creativity, and reported drug use. And of course, most of it goes up in flames by the end of the week-long event.
For desperate hopefuls still trying to make it to the Black Rock Desert, here are Burning Man's tips on how to avoid getting burned by scammers or counterfeit tickets. And for those of us who have to sit this one out, here's a glimpse of what we'll be missing from pictures of last year's event.
