Playa del Fuego, also called PDF, is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Burning Man Event, held in Odessa, DE at the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.

PDF is unique, as it is the only Regional Event that occurs twice a year. The events are held every spring and fall, Thursday through Monday, on Memorial Day and Columbus Day weekends respectively.

Playa del Fuego is an experiment in temporary community, ad-hocracy, and do-ocracy. Respect is fundamental to this community. Please respect yourself, other participants, and our hosts. Always respect the limits of others. If it is not yours, do not touch it without asking first.

No always means No. Yes means Yes. Silence is NOT consent. Participants can be held liable for endangering or injuring other participants or their property. Please plan all projects and activities accordingly and use common sense.

The key to having a positive burn experience is to familiarize yourself with, and internalize, The Ten Principals on which Burning Man and the regional events have been founded. You can find them here.

Playa del Fuego operates on a gift economy. It is expected everyone contributes to the community in some meaningful way and gives as much as they receive. Remember, everything you do or do not do effects the event and the rest of the community. There are many ways to give, do not limit yourself to material gifts.

Having sprung from the Burning Man event, regional burns have a few social norms and traditions that newcomers may find unusual:

•it is normal for someone to walk up and give you things. Nothing is expected in return.

•people hug hello - they don't shake hands.

• costumes are hugely popular and fun. Use your creativity and imagination but remember, there should be nothing loose that will fall off and create MOOP. FEATHER BOAS ARE THE WORST OFFENDERS. No matter what you do, they shed. Please leave your boas at home, and imagine a new way to fancy yourself up that won't create more work for the community. We are not your Mom - we are not here to clean up after you.

• As much as we practice radical self-expression, we are a community that cares for each other deeply. As a part of our community you have these responsibilities:

• You should come prepared to take care of yourself and get by without the help of others. See Radical Self-Reliance.

• Playa del Fuego is ENTIRELY run by volunteers. You are encouraged to pick up some volunteer shifts during the event. Anyone can volunteer, even first timers. By volunteering, you are helping the event run smoothly and you get to interact with many new and wonderful participants.

•A burn is not a spectator sport. Jump in, give a hand, interact, and participate!

• Helping each other is fun, and gives opportunities to meet many new people. There are always going to be some odd things that you can help people with, and

you are encouraged to do so.

• No means No, no matter what.

• Always ask first!

What to Bring:

• Tent/Tarps (2-one for under tent and one for on top if rainy/wet)

• Sleeping Gear (mattress, pillow, blankets, etc.)

• Camp Chair

• Water/Booze/Food/Ice/Cooler

• Plate, Fork, Spoon, Knife, Bowl, Cup (plastic ones, just rinse and/or wipe off and REUSE = no trash)

• Clothes and Costumes/Wigs/Makeup/Hats, etc. (Bring clothing suitable for inclimate weather. Remember we're camping in a swampland with very poor drainage. Also bring clothing that will get you through hot days and cold/damp nights.)

• Hygiene Items (Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.-PDF does have showers, so bring shower stuff if you plan on showering while at the event.)

• Towels

• Baby Wipes (They can be your best friend at a burn, but do NOT put them in the potties.)

• Trash Bags (PDF has a dumpster, however the majority of burners un-package things, take bags out of boxes, etc. to help cut trash down. If you don't pack it in, you don't have to pack it out.)

• Flashlights and/or Lantern

• Extra Batteries

• Portable Ashtray (metal mint and candy containers work great for this)

• Lip Balm and Hand Lotion (you can never have too much of either of these)

• Any medications you take daily, Vitamins and Emergen-C (Electrolyte replacements are great for the next morning when you may wake up feeling a little dehydrated.)

• Bug Spray (Sometimes we need it, other times we don't, sometimes we need more than can be found in the entire state of Delaware.)

• Sunblock & Sunglasses

• Toilet Paper (The potties usually have T.P. but always bring a back up roll of Single Ply paper that is suitable for septic systems.)

• Directions

• Ticket/Confirmation Email

• I.D. (will be checked at the gate)

Handy Tips:

• Never let it hit the ground! Pick up MOOP wherever you go all weekend long.

• Pitch in wherever you see help is needed.

• Ask permission before taking someone’s photo.

• Check Lost and Found and the Pavilion before you go-just in case.

• If it didn’t come from your body-don't put it in the potty

• Your party garbage belongs to you-don't ask if people have a trash can, they don't.

• Bring a re-usable cup or plate with you.

• Respect the dumpsters. No items larger than a trash bag. No spooky chemicals. No hot ashes or embers.

• Stop adding wood to burn barrels Sunday morning. You want cool ashes Monday-not a smoldering fire. Can’t find the Ash Dump-ask at the Participation Station.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Rain or no rain.

•Ask permission before touching someone.

•Help with the Communal Cleanup: help fire team clean up the burn pad or join the Monday Cleanup Team.

Read More

All of our event policies as well as what other events call a Survival Guide are bundled into one handy place, our Grand Unified Document, or GÜD. Click here.