A renowned US festival is about to open its doors once again later this month, with images from previous years showing what could be in store for punters during the 'erotically charged' nine-day event.
'Mass orgies and tea with dead cats' are apparently just two of the activities on the agenda of the Burning Man festival in Nevada, which is due to take place at the end of this month.
Festivals have always been a celebration of cultures such as art or music, but they've taken a strange twist in recent years. You only need to read about some of the goings on at the Swingathon festival in the UK to comprehend that.
And while there were plenty of interesting happenings at the recent Oasis gigs, it's nothing compared with the Burning Man festival over in the US, where attendees are encouraged to enjoy games of ping pong, take part in arts and crafts and perhaps most eye-catchingly, have some 'naughty and naked fun'.
Advert
It's had plenty of high-profile guests over the years, with the likes of Jeff Bezos, Will Smith and Elon Musk all said to have been in attendance, and thousands more are set to descend upon the silver state in two weeks' time.
'Orgy Bus Camp' and a 'Slap Cafe'
For those who are interested in the pleasures of the flesh, you can visit 'Orgy Bus Camp' and a 'Slap Cafe', and I'm sure you can figure out exactly what goes on there.
It's been present at the festival for over 20 years now and offers a 'safe, consensual, sex-positive, inclusionary and exploratory environment', where singletons or couples can engage in some light-hearted recent trends, such as hotwifing or cuckholding, for example.
Of course, consent is vital, with the Burning Man website stating: "You are responsible for getting verbal consent before engaging."
One 'Orgy Dome' devotee previously explained: "Verbal consent is necessary to begin play with other groups and to introduce new activities."
'Skinny Kitty Teahouse' with 'mummified feline friends'
For those of you thrill-seekers who aren't looking to swap partners, there's also reportedly a naked dinosaur ride, which frankly sounds like great fun, as well as an official nipple stamp station, which I might have to pass on.
And if you're into something more on the, err, unique side, you can take a trip over to the Skinny Kitty Teahouse where you can have your morning cuppa alongside 'mummified feline friends'.
In case you do anything you're really not proud of at the festival, then worry not, there's a 'porta-potty confessional' where you can confess your sins.
On the more PG side, punters can take part in yoga, meditation and even a game or two of ping pong.
After nine days, the dust comes down and everyone goes back to their normal lives, which must feel particularly peculiar after so long in these surroundings.
When does Burning Man 2025 start?
Burning Man will be throwing open its doors from 24 August to 1 September.
When the celebrations come to a close, it will be marked with the iconic burning of its huge wooden structure.
James Moorhouse