Adam RasmussenChannel 2 News
We have been hearing a lot of complaints over the last few weeks about the new lottery system for Burning Man tickets.
And now, organizers are almost certain to hear more Burners gripe. The plan was to sell 10,000 more tickets next month, but those plans are being thrown out.
All 10,000 are being distributed to volunteers and artists who build the unique theme camps, vehicles and artwork we see on the playa year after year.
Members of the Burning Man community are being thrown another curve ball. The new ticket system continues seeing changes, and Wednesday's announcement was another big one.
"I think a lot of people will feel a lot better about Burning Man as a whole because of this," says Burner Dixie Dahl.
The lottery didn't go over well with Burners around the world, including Dahl right here in Reno. Many of them thought it was leaving out important theme camps and vehicles. That's why these brand new changes are in place.
"Theme camps are what make Burning Man, what make the community," says Burner Kendall Knowles. "They make the city."
That's why Knowles thinks these changes are a step in the right direction. The official Burning Man website explains how they plan on distributing these 10,000 tickets.
Theme camps must prove they have a long history on the playa and closely follow the "Leave No Trace" policy. Volunteers must also show their art projects are meaningful to Burning Man.
But what about the Burners who don't have theme camps or bring artwork? Event organizers say the best thing people can do right now is be patient.
"A lot of things can change for people," says Marian Goodell, founding board member of Black Rock City LLC. "I'm sure some Burners we find every year, we end up getting most of our change requests for name changes in the summer, when for us that means that's when people end up changing their minds."
Knowles say people have every right to be frustrated, but Black Rock City needs camp designers and artists.
"Because they rely on those people," she says. "And if those people aren't there to help build the camps, it won't be there. So, it's kind of bittersweet."
Damian Janssen is one of those theme camp designers. He might not even try and get a ticket this year, just so someone else has an opportunity to experience the playa for the first time. He says people need to take a step back and reevaluate what Burning Man is all about.
"And not let this turn us into greedy back-stabbing children in a soup line."
