The Nevada Burning Man Festival: Year by Year History

Born in 1986 from the mind of Larry Harvey, the arts festival of the Burning Man has evolved from 20 people watching a wooden man burn on Baker Beach to over 30,000 creating the most populous city in Pershing County, Nevada. Year by year the festival grew and evolved. This is a glimpse into that growth of the Burning Man, both in form and in function.

1986
Larry Harvey and Jerry James build an 8 foot wooden man on Baker Beach, San Francisco and set it on fire in honor of the summer solstice. 20 people attend; one grabbing the burning man’s hand.

1987
The height of the figure was increased to 20 feet but the triangle face remained. Crowds increase to 80 on Baker Beach while the burning man burned.

1988
Larry Harvey now names the burning man “Burning Man” and uses individual parts to construct him to a height of 30 feet. The crowd of onlookers rises to 150-200.

1989
Local TV coverage and park police pepper the Baker Beach celebration. The Burning Man is now 40 feet high and is burnt semi-standing as the legs and pelvis broke away from the torso. This year over 300 attend the festivities.

1990
The Burning Man stays at 40 feet. The location stays at Baker Beach with an attendance of 800, however the burn location is moved to Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Only 100 attend the actual burn, which happened by David Warren (a veteran fire breather) igniting the Burning Man.

1991
The year of many firsts, 1991 saw the first desert survival guide for attendees and the requirements for a Bureau of Land Management permit. The Burning Man stays at 40 feet and in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Approximately 250 Burning Man attendees participate.

1992
The Burning Man festival becomes the Black Rock Arts Festival with a fashion show and an arts festival. “Danger Ranger” puts out the Black Rock Gazette’s premiere issue. The Burning Man stays at 40 feet tall and at Black Rock Desert, but this time is loaded with fireworks. Over 600 attend this festival year.

1993
This year saw the first year of the theme camps, of established media services and radio stations onsite, and the first art car – the “504PM Special”. The Burning Man is 40 feet tall and remains in Black Rock Desert. Attendees number over 1,000.

1994
1994 had the first year of Burning Man websites. A documentary is filmed during the events highlighting the Burning Man lit by Crimson Rose and Will Roger. Art exhibits and musical performances are rampant. The Burning Man is 40 feet tall and stays in Black Rock Desert. Attendees number over 2,000.

1995
The Burning Man Festival becomes the highest populated city (The Black Rock City) in Pershing County, Nevada. This year starts an email discussion of events and the daily onsite paper (Black Rock Gazette) now is uploaded to the web each festival day. The fixture is lit after a jet car drive-by with a flame thrower. The Burning Man stays at 40 feet tall and in Black Rock Desert. There are 4,000 attendees. CNN starts a yearly coverage.

1996
Burning Man tops a pyramid designed by Dan Miller. The conglomerate HELCO tries to buy out the Burning Man. It does not succeed. The height of the Burning Man increases to 50 feet tall and remains in Black Rock Desert. There are 8,000 attendees.

1997
Wired does the Burning Man book and there are now pre- and post- event websites. The event is hurt by strained permit situations and moves to private land. The Burning Man stands at 50 feet tall and is located this year at Hualapai Playa. There are 10,000 attendees.

1998
Black Rock City has four village circles and the streets now have signs and are numbered. The volunteers form the Burning man Earth Guardians. They help the Bureau of Land Management manage the desert. The Burning Man stays at 50 feet tall and returned to Black Rock Desert. Attendees number 15,000.

1999
Many themes now occupy the inner wheel of the festival. The Burning Man stands at 40 feet tall in the center of a giant clock face. The festival stays in Black Rock Desert and there are 23,000 attendees.

2000
The Themed Art area increases along with theme camp participation. There are now 460 camps registered, with the center Camp Cafe incorporating 34,000 square feet. The Burning Man is 40 feet tall and is at Black Rock Desert. There are 25,400 attendees.

2001
A new trouble started with counterfeit tickets. There were 220 registered media, with 30% being international. The Burning Man stands on the “Tower of Enlightenment” and hits 70 feet tall. It stays in Black Rock Desert. Attendees range from 6,700 plus on Monday to over 25,000 on Saturday.

2002
A new ticket vendor and new tickets with art work on the face mark 2002. There are 300 media outlets attending. The Burning Man stands on 40 feet of lighthouse and hits 80 feet total. The event stays at Black Rock Desert and attendees range from 7,000 on Monday to near 29,000 on Saturday.

2003
Black Rock City has a new street addition and two new walkways lined by spires for better nightlife navigation. There are 504 theme camps and 300 media outlets. The 32 foot Burning Man stands on a 47 foot pyramid temple in Black Rock Desert. Attendees number over 30,000.

2004
Black Rock City has 503 theme camps and over 220 artworks. There are still over 300 media outlets attending. A 40 foot Burning Man stands on a 40 foot geodesic dome. The festival remains in Black Rock Desert and has over 35,000 attend.

2005
The San Francisco Chronicle has a feature on the 20th year of the burn. It now supports 32 artists in art projects. There is a PlayaNET public WiFi system for Black Rock City. The 40 foot Burning Man stands and spins on a 32 foot tall maze and funhouse. It stays at Black Rock Desert. Saturday’s attendees hit over 35,000 in 2005.