Plains man makes trek

PLAINS – One resident of Plains made his way over 1,000 miles to take part in a one of a kind festival: a place where an entire culture is constructed, strangers become family and everyone is allowed to be exactly who they want to be with no passed judgments.

Bob Heckman attended the 2014 Burning Man festival, a festival that prides itself on encouraging radical self-expression and self-reliance.

After acquiring an extra ticket from his brother, a Burning Man veteran, Heckman was able to cross something off his bucket list.

He said the experience is something that was hard to describe, but something that he will forever remember.

“I don’t think you can get this type of experience anywhere in the world,” Heckman said.

Throughout his week at the festival, Heckman said he was a little overwhelmed at first. As he drove the long stretch of road into Black Rock City, a town created by the week-long festival, he traveled a road split into ten lanes. Slowly the empty playa the festival takes place on, filled for the only time this year, the population ballooning to approximately 70,000 people.

After finding a campsite, Heckman set off to explore, finding an entire world like nothing he has ever seen. There was no money, gifts were handed out freely and different theme camps were scattered along the playa, open to all who wanted to enter them. Some featured trapeze equipment, while others had dodge ball courts or even a dome made of triangles where people were able to duke their opponents in a fight. Heckman said there was something for everyone.

The festival is well known for allowing people of all walks of life to participate, from the young to the old and everything in between.

“A lot of very wealthy people come to (the festival) and a lot of poor people come as well,” Heckman explained. “One of the ten principles is radical inclusion. So they include everybody, no restrictions as to who you are and what you are.”

The principle of radical inclusion states, “anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.”

Because of this mind set, people feel empowered to be themselves for a week, whether that includes cross dressing, dancing the night away or quietly mingling with friends.

During his time at Burning Man, Heckman seemed to see a little bit of everything. He said it was important to keep an open mind when at the event.

“You have to be very open minded, willing to accept anything and not judge people. To each their own,” Heckman explained.

The festival prides itself on leaving no trace whatsoever of the events that took place, until the next year the camp is set up again. Because of this, elaborate structures, such as the Burning Man himself are constructed and then burned by the end of the week, wiping away any evidence that a festival took place.

During the time of Burning Man medical clinics, a post office and even an airport are constructed. Not only are buildings constructed, but a culture is created, which leads to everyone becoming one family.

“Burning Man isn’t your usual festival with big acts booked to play on massive stages,” states the Burning Man website. “In fact, it’s more of a city than a festival, wherein almost everything that happens is created entirely by its citizens, who are active participants in the event.”

Heckman was not only able to cross something off his bucket list, but he said he plans to attend next year and is looking for others to go along with him.  

“I’m looking for anyone who wants to come,” Heckman said.

He said by traveling together the group would be able to save money and would also be able to have a very unique experience.

Heckman stated the festival was like an adult Disneyland, a place where everyone can come together and have a good time.

Anyone interested in attending Burning Man as a group, should contact Bob Heckman.