Feeling the burn? Fancily-clad revelers parade their extreme cars and bikes while others bake pizzas as they party in 100F heat on day four of Burning Man: Event dishes out FREE coffee for first time in history despite blistering inflation

  • The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in its characteristically psychedelic atmosphere 
  • Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return. 
  • Erecting a temporary desert metropolis rife with art and self-expression, festivalgoers were photographed Wednesday parading their flashy cars under the hot Nevada sun - as others baked pizzas in the extreme heat
  • Organizers were seen handing revelers free coffee, following a surprising announcement that the costs of the beverages would be waived as Americans battle unprecedented inflation and looming economic uncertainty 

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Scantly-clad revelers braved the extreme heat to take part in day four of Burning Man Wednesday following the festival's two-year hiatus, despite temperatures that topped 105F in the scorching Nevada desert.

The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere. 

Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return.

Erecting a temporary desert metropolis rife with art and self-expression, festivalgoers were photographed Wednesday parading their flashy cars and bikes under the hot Nevada sun - as others bravely baked pizzas in the extreme heat for a quick and easy meal.

Organizers, meanwhile, were seen handing revelers free coffee, following a surprising announcement that the costs of the beverages would be waived as Americans battle unprecedented inflation and looming economic uncertainty. 

Festivalgoers subsequently flocked in droves to venue's longtime coffee shop, the Center Camp Café, to get their fill - at an event festivalgoers commonly upcharge each other necessities like water, in an isolated area where other drinking options are limited. 

Scantly-clad revelers braved the extreme heat to take part in day four of Burning Man Wednesday following the festival's two-year hiatus, despite temperatures that topped 105F in the scorching Nevada desert

Scantly-clad revelers braved the extreme heat to take part in day four of Burning Man Wednesday following the festival's two-year hiatus, despite temperatures that topped 105F in the scorching Nevada desert

The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere

The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere

Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return. Pictured: Revelers on Wednesday

Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return. Pictured: Revelers on Wednesday

A group of revelers brave the scorching heat as they head out for the night at the wacky festival on Wednesday evening

A group of revelers brave the scorching heat as they head out for the night at the wacky festival on Wednesday evening

One proud partygoer beams as he shows off his bizarre-looking car at an event at the festival late on Wednesday evening

One proud partygoer beams as he shows off his bizarre-looking car at an event at the festival late on Wednesday evening

The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere
The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere

The weeklong festival, held in Black Rock Desert since the early 1990s, has long been a tradition, frequented by free-spirited individuals looking to let loose and soak in the event's characteristically psychedelic atmosphere

Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return

Halted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID, the festival returned in full force late last month, with nearly 80,000 flocking to the makeshift venue late last month to celebrate the event's triumphant return

Erecting a temporary desert metropolis rife with art and self-expression, festivalgoers bravely baked pizzas in the extreme heat for a quick and easy meal

Erecting a temporary desert metropolis rife with art and self-expression, festivalgoers bravely baked pizzas in the extreme heat for a quick and easy meal

The return to The Playa - the section of the desert where the festivities occur and festivalgoers are encouraged to create their own, psychedelic society -marks a return for some hardcore Burners, for whom the annual week-long event is a tradition.

The theme of this year's event — dubbed a 'temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance' — is 'Waking Dreams,' organizers said - a topic that does well to capture the festival's otherworldly essence.

The week-long festivities, which began Sunday morning at a seven square mile makeshift encampment housing the festival, where free-spirited individuals — who spent the $575 fee to attend — can enjoy a multitude of activities, ranging from the mundane to the extreme. 

On the itinerary for revelers was a slew of scheduled parties where so-called Burners had the chance to socialize, enjoy some tunes and, of course, indulge in alcohol, as well as enjoy performances of a wide range of music, including, Latin, jazz, 80s pop, and disco.

For those seeking something a little calmer, more meditative amenities were also offered, including a hammock forest, a hypnotherapy session, and communal peppermint bomb breathwork exercises.

Two vehicles made for Burning Man by partygoers are shown parked in the desert before they are paraded on Wednesday night

Two vehicles made for Burning Man by partygoers are shown parked in the desert before they are paraded on Wednesday night

Two people park up their bikes before climbing on a pyramid structure at the event in the desert on Wednesday afternoon

Two people park up their bikes before climbing on a pyramid structure at the event in the desert on Wednesday afternoon

One of the structures set to be burned stands in the desert while festivalgoers on bikes and scooters mill around below it

One of the structures set to be burned stands in the desert while festivalgoers on bikes and scooters mill around below it

A bizarre scene is shown from the event of a person in a cage with a skull above their head and wires streaking out across the sand around it

A bizarre scene is shown from the event of a person in a cage with a skull above their head and wires streaking out across the sand around it

Another of the structures built for the event is shown on Wednesday featuring two winged people on top of a spike

Another of the structures built for the event is shown on Wednesday featuring two winged people on top of a spike

A huge dragon on top of a car is picture on Wednesday evening around other vehicles ahead of a parade

A huge dragon on top of a car is picture on Wednesday evening around other vehicles ahead of a parade

People cycle towards a huge neon pyramid on Wednesday evening with their tires lit up for the occasion

People cycle towards a huge neon pyramid on Wednesday evening with their tires lit up for the occasion

Festivalgoers constructed their own enormous brick oven to cook the pies to perfection, waiting until nightfall after temperatures reached more than 100F under the blazing Nevada son

Festivalgoers constructed their own enormous brick oven to cook the pies to perfection, waiting until nightfall after temperatures reached more than 100F under the blazing Nevada son

Pizza anyone? A festivalgoer-turned pizzamakers stand over his finished product Tuesday on dav five of the famous festival

Pizza anyone? A festivalgoer-turned pizzamakers stand over his finished product Tuesday on dav five of the famous festival

This year, organizers announced that the price of coffee would drop to zero dollars - a decision they said was in part inspired by a re-commitment to the event's buy-nothing philosophy, but also due to recent levels of inflation

This year, organizers announced that the price of coffee would drop to zero dollars - a decision they said was in part inspired by a re-commitment to the event's buy-nothing philosophy, but also due to recent levels of inflation

More active revelers were seen stacking and climbing milk crates - a popular internet trend that surfaced during the pandemic - and participating in one of several throwing contests and foam weapon fights held across the simulated city.

Also available was a bikini armor crafting workshop, where festivalgoers were able to construct fashionable, metal bathing suits with  basic metal-working hand tools to create their own sexy suits of armor.

For the more knowledge hungry revelers, the event offered several educational sessions on topics like the intersection of artificial intelligence and astronomy, as well as the use of psychedelics in surgeries. 

Also new this year was a camp on The Playa called Consensual Abduction, where guests are allowed to climb through a 'wormhole' slide to arrive at a neon-lit dance floor for all-night raves. 

Cars, meanwhile, were discouraged at the annual weeklong event - with organizers instead allowing 'mutant' vehicles and 'art' cars, which are 'unique motorized creations that either show little or no resemblance to their original form or to any standard street vehicle or is out of context for its normal setting (a pirate ship or space ship on the desert, for example)'

Cars, meanwhile, were discouraged at the annual weeklong event - with organizers instead allowing 'mutant' vehicles and 'art' cars, which are 'unique motorized creations that either show little or no resemblance to their original form or to any standard street vehicle or is out of context for its normal setting (a pirate ship or space ship on the desert, for example)'

Photos from Wednesday's festivities show these fantastical hot rods, with one concertgoer pulling up in a shag rug convertible

Photos from Wednesday's festivities show these fantastical hot rods, with one concertgoer pulling up in a shag rug convertible

Another group was seen Wednesday on what could only be described as a futuristic dune buggy, reminiscent of a Batmobile

Another group was seen Wednesday on what could only be described as a futuristic dune buggy, reminiscent of a Batmobile

Another vehicle, a truck, was dressed up like a sheep - which is one way of adhering to the 'mutant' car policy

Another vehicle, a truck, was dressed up like a sheep - which is one way of adhering to the 'mutant' car policy

Cars, meanwhile, were discouraged at the annual weeklong event - with organizers instead allowing 'mutant' vehicles and 'art' cars, which are 'unique motorized creations that either show little or no resemblance to their original form or to any standard street vehicle or is out of context for its normal setting (a pirate ship or space ship on the desert, for example),' the event's website reads.

Photos from Wednesday's festivities show these fantastical hot rods, with one concertgoer pulling up in a shag rug convertible, and another group piloting what could only be described as a futuristic dune buggy.

Another vehicle, a truck, was dressed up like a sheep - which is one way of adhering to the 'mutant' car policy.

Also available was the free coffee, which for years was one of the only things that were officially made available for purchase by organizers, with he other being ice. All other products, including water, were sold using an extensive bartering and gifting system, long promoted by the event as helping the camp build its own, subsistent economy.

This year, organizers announced that the price of coffee would drop to zero dollars - a decision they said was in part inspired by a re-commitment to the event's buy-nothing philosophy, but also due to environmental concerns, given Burning Man's resident cafe commonly uses 30,000 cups and 25,000 gallons of greywater throughout the week.

The theme of this year's event ¿ dubbed a 'temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance' ¿ is 'Waking Dreams,' organizers said - a topic that does well to capture the festival's otherworldly essence

The theme of this year's event — dubbed a 'temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance' — is 'Waking Dreams,' organizers said - a topic that does well to capture the festival's otherworldly essence

In a post on the official Burning Man blog, associate director of operations Laura Day wrote about the decision. 'Every great city should provide these spaces — and this IS that space — yet do cities provide the coffee itself?' Day wrote. 

'No, that's offered by members of the community. And in our decommodified city, coffee could be an element of the prevailing gift economy. Perhaps the city's population has grown enough to take on the caffeination of the [Burner] nation. We aim to test this theory.' 

Consent, meanwhile, is another major theme of this year's event, the Gate reports — a crucial component given that so many of the experiences on this year's schedule involve sex, from after-hour orgies and flogging to black-light bondage. 

The tradition began back in 1986 on San Francisco's Baker Beach, when two friends built an eight-foot effigy out of scrap lumber, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire in front of a group of about 35 people.

But Burning Man is also known for its art installations, which this year feature various sculptures like this one seen Wednesday

But Burning Man is also known for its art installations, which this year feature various sculptures like this one seen Wednesday

Another ornate art installation can be seen here, on Wednesday. Eventgoers are encouraged to construct and create their own artwork at the weeklong event

Another ornate art installation can be seen here, on Wednesday. Eventgoers are encouraged to construct and create their own artwork at the weeklong event

The tradition began back in 1986 on San Francisco's Baker Beach, when two friends built an eight-foot effigy out of scrap lumber, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire in front of a group of about 35 people

The tradition began back in 1986 on San Francisco's Baker Beach, when two friends built an eight-foot effigy out of scrap lumber, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire in front of a group of about 35 people

It grew more popular in the years that followed focusing on 10 principles including 'radical self-reliance,' 'radical self-expression' and 'radical inclusion.'

But eventually the Golden Gate Park Police raised their concerns about the annual fires in California.

Event organizers subsequently decided to move it to Nevada's Black Rock desert in the early 1990s.

But now revelers have to contend with the desert's wild weather as daytime temperatures remain in the triple digits before dropping down to lows of the 60s at night.

The event is set to wrap up on Sunday with the burning of an effigy, known as the burning man, which has served as the traditional way to close the event since its inaugural festival in 1989

The event is set to wrap up on Sunday with the burning of an effigy, known as the burning man, which has served as the traditional way to close the event since its inaugural festival in 1989

Strong winds are also expected to kick up some dust on Black Rock City.

'It's pretty much an assured thing out there: hot, dry and dusty,' Amanda Young, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Reno told the Reno Gazette Journal.

But Burning Man is also known for its art installations, which this year feature various sculptures like a dragon and bear-shaped honey containers. 

The event is set to wrap up on Sunday with the burning of an effigy, known as the burning man, which has served as the traditional way to close the event since its inaugural festival in 1989.

Day five is poised to begin on Thursday. 

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