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30 Apocalyptic Pics From The ‘Wasteland Weekend’ Where Costumes Are Mandatory
About 4,000 people have flooded California's Mojave Desert for the annual post-apocalyptic festival called Wasteland Weekend, and the pics looks out of this world. The festival, which was inspired by the Mad Max film series, is unlike most desert parties because it requires all attendees to be in costume. Yes, even staff members and journalists. The idea is to create a full-immersion effect, making everyone feel like they’re inside a Mad Max universe for 5 days. And it works.
More info: wastelandweekend.com
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This year, the event ran from September 25thto September 29th., and included a number of themed distractions from the real world. There were live bands, DJs, car cruises, costume contests, a film festival, a post-apocalyptic swimsuit competition, Thunderdome battles, and much, much more.
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"We’re going to pull out all the stops for our tenth year celebration," Wasteland co-founder and event director Jared Butler said in a press release. "It’s amazing that we’ve been able to have this home-grown post-apocalyptic fantasy world last this long. It took a lot of hard work and dedication by our whole community and we want to celebrate that."
The event has sold five years in a row, and another sellout is pretty much inevitable. "Wasteland is run by a small staff and an army of volunteers. We want those volunteers to grow their skills with the event, so that our staffing and infrastructure never get overwhelmed by the size of the population," Butler said. Wasteland Weekend art director and Chief of Operations, Adam Chilson, added: "When we grow at a reasonable pace, it means veteran attendees always outnumber the newcomers. It helps the event keep the feeling of being one big returning family."
#11
Nyqolas Corvinus 5 years ago
Blue Araujo did my hair and did a fantastic job. She’s based out of West Covina. I’d definitely go back to her for braids and any hair color you’re trying to pull off with an extensive hair color background. She really takes care of you!
#13
Bonnie Blue Bird 5 years ago
LOL ... That does NOT look comfortable.... But she does look good!
#14
Troy Currie 5 years ago
If they're hollowed out all the way through it would make breathing a hell of a lot more comfortable.
#18
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
The one on the left reminds me of the "Warrior woman" in The Road Warrior.
#25
#26
Bonnie Blue Bird 5 years ago
I love that this person just had a spare Huey laying around to create this vehicle.
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What do you think ?
djinnjeannie 5 years ago
Come the apocalypse I reckon there might be fewer women choosing bikinis as survival wear
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
These people look like they're very boring and have tons of time and money.
Chyppa Homer 5 years ago
That's the spirit ! The apocalypse hasn't even happened yet, people are already celebrating it :D
Elizabeth 5 years ago
I hope this event supplied tons of sunscreen. Just looking at those pictures of people in the desert wearing next to nothing is making my skin feel sunburned. My favorite pics were the people who had costumes that looked like they might actually be practical after the apocalypse. Bikini's and such are definitely sexy but I want coverage/realism
AndersM 5 years ago
I want to go there one day. But it's very hard to get a ticket I read. For a steam/dieselpunkfan it must be heaven!
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
This seems to be The Art Of Making Total Destruction Look Fun And Sexy As Hell. I can't help but to be reminded of how, during the plague years of the Black Death, The plague dance, or dance mania "affected men, women, and children who danced until they collapsed from exhaustion. One of the first major outbreaks was in Aachen, in the Holy Roman Empire, in 1374, and it quickly spread throughout Europe" "The dancing plague (or dance epidemic) of 1518 was a case of dancing mania that occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace, (now France) Around 400 people took to dancing for days without rest and, over the period of about one month, some of those affected collapsed or even died of heart attack, stroke, or exhaustion." (Wikipedia)
Demi Zwaan 5 years ago
I see plenty of people in the background who are just wearing shorts and shirts. Not in costume at all. But other than that, this is Burning Man the tiny edition? They all look awesome, but just the same as at other festivals.
Kevin Hickey 5 years ago
I've always wondered why they drive gas hogs in post-apocalyptic hellscapes at the same time that they're fighting over the small amount of gasoline that remains on the planet.
John Smith 5 years ago
It's like a Burning Man for more regular looking people. Good for them.
Rosa Anderson 5 years ago (edited)
This looks like so much fun, can't we have something like this in Oklahoma!!! I know, I know, I'm asking too much for the bible belt of America LOL
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
There are some wonderful, creative costumes. obviously people did a lot of planning for this.
Katinka Min 5 years ago
Things to bring to the Apokalypse: a really hot bod, fishnets, clutter. (Some pretty cool costumes, though, espcially among the guys.)
Tony Wilkie 5 years ago
For those thinking it looks cool and fun..but only know what you see in this article..go to YouTube and look up Wasteland weekend..you will learn alot.. For those who think it's just like or another burning man...NOT...far from it...they dont even Compare..
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
This is epic! I'm geeking out so hard right now. Well done, cats and chicks.
Colin Leetham 5 years ago
I find myself suddenly wishing for a monster truck mounted sound system, and someone in bondage gear playing a flamethowing guitar....
Shawn Weymouth 5 years ago
Looks fun and dirty but what about the habitat? How do you restore the environment back to pre-mad max
CbusResident 5 years ago
You know who would be ready for the mayhem of the post apocalypse? Some people dressed like fashion models with makeup on who pose with pouty lips and pert hair in the dessert - that's who I'd want with me in a disaster!
djinnjeannie 5 years ago
Come the apocalypse I reckon there might be fewer women choosing bikinis as survival wear
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
These people look like they're very boring and have tons of time and money.
Chyppa Homer 5 years ago
That's the spirit ! The apocalypse hasn't even happened yet, people are already celebrating it :D
Elizabeth 5 years ago
I hope this event supplied tons of sunscreen. Just looking at those pictures of people in the desert wearing next to nothing is making my skin feel sunburned. My favorite pics were the people who had costumes that looked like they might actually be practical after the apocalypse. Bikini's and such are definitely sexy but I want coverage/realism
AndersM 5 years ago
I want to go there one day. But it's very hard to get a ticket I read. For a steam/dieselpunkfan it must be heaven!
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
This seems to be The Art Of Making Total Destruction Look Fun And Sexy As Hell. I can't help but to be reminded of how, during the plague years of the Black Death, The plague dance, or dance mania "affected men, women, and children who danced until they collapsed from exhaustion. One of the first major outbreaks was in Aachen, in the Holy Roman Empire, in 1374, and it quickly spread throughout Europe" "The dancing plague (or dance epidemic) of 1518 was a case of dancing mania that occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace, (now France) Around 400 people took to dancing for days without rest and, over the period of about one month, some of those affected collapsed or even died of heart attack, stroke, or exhaustion." (Wikipedia)
Demi Zwaan 5 years ago
I see plenty of people in the background who are just wearing shorts and shirts. Not in costume at all. But other than that, this is Burning Man the tiny edition? They all look awesome, but just the same as at other festivals.
Kevin Hickey 5 years ago
I've always wondered why they drive gas hogs in post-apocalyptic hellscapes at the same time that they're fighting over the small amount of gasoline that remains on the planet.
John Smith 5 years ago
It's like a Burning Man for more regular looking people. Good for them.
Rosa Anderson 5 years ago (edited)
This looks like so much fun, can't we have something like this in Oklahoma!!! I know, I know, I'm asking too much for the bible belt of America LOL
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
There are some wonderful, creative costumes. obviously people did a lot of planning for this.
Katinka Min 5 years ago
Things to bring to the Apokalypse: a really hot bod, fishnets, clutter. (Some pretty cool costumes, though, espcially among the guys.)
Tony Wilkie 5 years ago
For those thinking it looks cool and fun..but only know what you see in this article..go to YouTube and look up Wasteland weekend..you will learn alot.. For those who think it's just like or another burning man...NOT...far from it...they dont even Compare..
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
This is epic! I'm geeking out so hard right now. Well done, cats and chicks.
Colin Leetham 5 years ago
I find myself suddenly wishing for a monster truck mounted sound system, and someone in bondage gear playing a flamethowing guitar....
Shawn Weymouth 5 years ago
Looks fun and dirty but what about the habitat? How do you restore the environment back to pre-mad max
CbusResident 5 years ago
You know who would be ready for the mayhem of the post apocalypse? Some people dressed like fashion models with makeup on who pose with pouty lips and pert hair in the dessert - that's who I'd want with me in a disaster!
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