Green As They Get

[Loken_Cerberus]

Hi there, I just signed up and wanted to introduce myself. Never been to a burn but always been very interested. Thinking about going to burnal equinox this year, and looking for some advice and information?

41 from socal. Normally I wouldn't go to events with big groups such as these as I suffer from social anxiety disorder. So I figured a small burn would be a good introduction to the scene and the people. I just wanted to ask. First off, is there anything I should know before buying tickets that might not be more common knowledge? I'm pretty aware of the culture and groups of people that frequent these, so I'm not oblivious to generally what happens, I just figured I would ask for any more specific things that somebody like me should know? Should I try to find a camp to join for a 1-day burn or would they even have one? Sorry if I'm over explaining or yapping, it's part of my coping mechanism.

[trilobyte]

Hello and welcome aboard! Being the greeter's station it's more of a 'come on in and tell us about yourself' place than a diving into all the various prep questions kind of place, so I invite you to poke around and ask questions that apply to various topics in the other sections of the board....

That said, I can point you at an old but brilliant thread offering tips for shy people at Burning Man. It's got a lot of great advice that applies not only to Burning Man, but any other regional gathering or event as well.

I'm not sure if you mean a burnal equinox party (which typically fall around the first weekend of March, and in many cities are in a club or event space), or the Bequinox regional campout that happens in southern California. I think you mean the campout, so I'll offer up my tip for that. When you arrive, take a look at the map (if they give you one), or take a few minutes to walk around and get the 'lay of the land' as far as the space for campers is concerned. It shouldn't take you very long to identify what might be a higher-traffic space from the other spaces, and then find an open spot a suitable distance away from the high traffic area to set up. Most campouts are made up of louder spaces (think sound systems, people bringing bars or other interactive elements)... .and quieter spaces. The quieter spaces can just be walking into an empty desert that isn't densely packed, or be where more low key camps are set up (that is, no big sound systems or flashing lights). Once you get a sense of where those spaces are, you should be good. You can explore and test the waters of checking out the busy areas, and at any point where you decide that you've had enough, you can go explore those quieter areas.

I haven't been to Bequinox, but I've been to several regionals and the Burning Man event a few times, and my experience has been that the low key areas are every bit as enjoyable as the big bright noisy places.

I hope that info helps, and once again welcome aboard!

[Loken_Cerberus]

Thank you so much! Both for the reply and the direction!

I am (just bought my tickets!) attending the Burnal Equinox in SF (https://burningman.org/events/sf-burnal-equinox-2025/) if that helps?

From what I see on the site it seems like the campout situation, for the one night? In any case it is just my wife and I and I "think" I understand what you mean by 'set up' but since it is a one night event I wasn't really thinking I would need to bring much aside from what we would need for a night 'out on the town...but a much more rural town' if that makes any sense? I wasn't thinking of bringing anything to actually camp out, but just spend the night enjoying the burn and then sleeping whatever we need to off in the morning at a hotel within walking distance.

I will say here, if I should continue my rambling in another section of the forum I will. Don't want to flood this one with bumps of this post if it is out of place. So please let me know if I should continue in another sub forum (sorry I am older and super not good at forum browsing) with my questions!

[trilobyte]

Ah, sorry, got confused with your mentioning you were from socal and the word camp... and I think the Bequinox campout tickets (which recently went on sale and happens in socal). The regional network board is here, FYI, though most regional groups operate through various Facebook groups and mailing lists.

Yes, you are correct, the SF Burnal Equinox is a one-evening event. Looks like they're having it towards the end of March this year, timed more in line with the lunar equinox than what has traditionally been considered the "burnal" equinox (6 months from when they burn the Burning Man effigy, on Saturday night of labor day weekend). Historically it's been a great party (I lived in San Francisco for many years and have been to it many times). No need to join a camp or special group, I think the call for camps and artists is to help decorate the space in the venue. Have fun, get decked out and/or let your freak flag fly if you're so inclined, or bring and wear a mask if the veil of anonymity might be something that helps with anxiety... all are welcome. From my experience at past events, there are usually several different spaces and arty places to explore, and you should be able to move between them to ease any social anxiety you may feel.

No worries, have fun!

[Loken_Cerberus]

Awesome! Thank you SO much for your help! We already have our tickets and a hotel for the morning after to sleep off any left over hype from the event. We are SUPER excited to try our first burn, and are hoping to attend more lengthy burns in the future!

Thanks again, we really appreciate it!!