4th of July

4th of Juplaya

Each year, on the 4th of July, people gather on the barren playa of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, the same location where the Burning Man Festival is held, to celebrate what they call the 4th of Juplaya.  Unlike Burning Man, it's not organized.  Just a bunch of people who drive out into the desert and come together.  Also unlike Burning Man, there isn't a lot of nudity.

But the people there are free to do what they like.  In 2008, a group called 2 pi r put up a little platform surrounded by fiery gas jets, where the 4th of Juplaya celebrants could put on their own entertainment.  This guy played his flute, naked, lit by the gas jets.

It's quite a mesmerizing sight (click for larger version).

Happy 4th of July!