A dusty Burning Man fest

Arts and Culture

In spite of a dust storm, the Burning Man festival claimed record attendance for the annual celebration of radical self-expression in the Black Rock desert near Gerlach, Nev.

Burning Man participants wait for a dust storm to clear during the Burning Man festival near Gerlach, Nev., on Saturday.

ZigZag, left, and Christ kiss during a dust storm on the playa during the Burning Man festival.

Some participants waited out the dust storm in the Jazz Cafe at the Black Rock Desert. The crowd for the weeklong celebration of art peaked Saturday at a record 49,599, up from 47,097 last year.

Burning Man participants ride on the playa at the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nev.

Burning Man participants walk on the playa at the Black Rock Desert. The event is a celebration of radical self-expression.

Alberto "BBoyB" Trevino prepares to kiss Vera Napoleon of Chicago after getting married during the Burning Man festival.

Costumes are diverse at the annual cultural event, which starts on the Monday before Labor Day and ends on the Labor Day holiday.

This man chose a variation on the Blue Men theme.

A fire dancer performed during the Burning Man festival.

Suenos Del Agave performers dance on the playa during the Burning Man festival.

'The Man' explodes during the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nev., on Saturday. The torching of the 40-foot signature effigy marks the climax of the festival.

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Burning Man participants wait for a dust storm to clear during the Burning Man festival near Gerlach, Nev., on Saturday.

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