
Dear Liza,

Burning Man is an annual Festival of art, music, and freedom. It is about being free to create your own art and is held way out in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. That is a long way away from anywhere, but thousands of people go there every year.

One of those people is Auntie Katie. She has gone for years, and works as a Ranger. She is one of the people who keeps folks safe out on the Playa when the art installations are set on fire.

Last night, a little bit of Burning Man came to Director’s Park in downtown Portland, and Auntie Katie invited us.

Director’s Park is where we have played in the fountains and played chess. It is a paved city block, pretty flat and open, so a perfect place for activities.

There are also plenty of electrical outlets, useful for all the light-up art installations. At the real Burning Man, most of the activity takes place at night since it is so hot during the day.

When we first got to Director’s Park, the sun was going down and the art was getting set up. We said hi to Auntie Katie and then headed off for dinner and shopping, then came back after dark. The park had changed completely, looking weird and magical in the neon lights.

We enjoyed the art and people watching, seeing kids and grown ups play and make music and noise just for fun. But it was time for us to head home.
There is always something new to see !
Love,
Grandma Judy