Burning Man 'burners' put a plague of bugs behind them to begin festival

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Art festival in remote Black Rock City, Nevada, will last for a week along a five-mile stretch of the desert known to seasoned Burners as the 'playa'
Windstorm that threatened festivities over the weekend has settled down - gates to the festival were temporarily closed Saturday due to the high winds
Large biting insects that infested 'playa' campsite a week before Burning Man kickoff were also nowhere to be found

Published: 07:12 EST, 31 August 2015 | Updated: 11:24 EST, 31 August 2015

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Burning Man festival officially got under way in the Nevada desert this morning, welcoming revelers for a week-long celebration of art, music and creativity in all its forms.

The threat of a possible sandstorm did nothing to keep tens of thousands of participants from flocking to a five-mile stretch of the desert known to seasoned Burners as the 'playa'.

Men and women from all walks of life, and from all across the country, began arriving in droves in Nevada's remote Black Rock City on Sunday, happily posing for photos in the dusty lunar landscape.

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So it begins: Burning Man festival got under way Monday, with many participants arriving the day before to set up camp and make preparations for the week-long celebration of creativity

Pretty in pink: 'Burner' Thais Martins shared this image of herself in a pink-and-white bikini on the 'playa' in the Nevada desert, with a bevvy of other beauties in the background

Not afraid of the storm: The threat of a massive sandstorm did nothing to keep tens of thousands of Burning Man revelers from the desert this year

Some festival goers came prepared with scarves to protect them from the dust and desert sand

Fur the love of art: Reveler Ali Shanti shared a photo of this bearded 'Burner' in a heavy fur coat and steampunk-inspired goggles on his head

Although cell phone reception was said to be unreliable at the site of the event, some revelers managed to beam out into the world early snapshots from the festivities.

Instagram user Thais Martins shared photos of herself and a fellow participant dressed in skimpy outfits standing triumphantly on an airport tarmac upon their arrival in Nevada.

Other photos taken by Ms Martins on the 'playa' feature the brunette 'Burner' posing seductively in a high-waisted pink-and-white bikini and matching socks, with a bevvy of beauties in similar getups milling about in the background.

Over the weekend, as early arrivals were busy erecting camps and getting their art projects ready for showtime, wind speeds reached 40mph and the air was filled with choking dust.

Several campsites were flattened by strong gusts of wind, which damaged some tents.

Last week, the official Burning Man blog also reported another problem: the campsite was overrun with swarms of bugs.

'They're everywhere,' the blog reported. 'They bite. They crawl all over you. They get up and in you.'

But it appears that the creepy unwelcome guests have since vanished, according to some festival goers.

A 'Burner' walks past some shade structures during a morning dust storm at Burning Man on the Black Rock Desert Saturday

Robynne Rowlinson, left, and James Bisset, both from South Africa, walk through a morning dust storm at Burning Man on Saturday

Speaking to USA Today, some participants said their arrival at the festival site was relatively quick and easy this year, especially compared to last year when Burning Man was forced to close the gates on the first day due to heavy rainfall that turned the 'playa' into a mud pit.

On the eve of the 2015 festival, the gates were temporarily closed Saturday due to high winds.

Sunday afternoon, the road leading to the main camp became choked with traffic, and organizers had to remind motorists to stay in their vehicles and patiently wait for the traffic to ease up.

Many 'Burners' passed the time by playing music and exchanging hugs.

‘It was pretty fun,’ David Oliver, who waited in line for five hours, told the paper. ‘There were crazy people doing crazy things.’

Some Burning Man participants with extra money to spend opted to fly in, arriving by private jets and charter flights that landed at a temporary airfield in the desert, known as 88NV, which is operated by Burning Man for the duration of the festival.

Geroge Krieger stands outside while securing his tent during a morning dust storm at Burning Man on the Black Rock Desert in Gerlack, Nevada on Saturday

Jamie Sparks relaxes after arriving on the playa at Burning Man on Friday, in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach

Mima Hall pulls her son, Makai, around in a wagon while their camp is being set up at Burning Man Friday

Many people arrived with bikes in tow to help them transport their luggage and camping equipment.

Some 'Burners', like Kamil Ozavar who flew in from Turkey for the annual celebration, chose to walk the final mile to the campsite rather than get stuck in traffic.

‘To be here, it's special. You don't realize it, but it changes you,’ he said. ‘This is a special place for inspiration.’

Ben Feintech, who arrived in Black Rock City from California a week ago to help with the preparations, marveled at the speed with which the camp has been taking shape.

‘It's been amazing. When I first got here, there was nothing,' the Burning Man volunteer told the paper.

Burning Man, currently in its 29th year, begins on the last Monday of August and ends on the first Monday of September, usually drawing around 65,000 people from around the country and beyond to gather on the remote 'playa' for a week of festivities centered around art and alternative living.

Since money is effectively outlawed at the site, guests are urged to barter for commodities and many fans have already taken to social media offering to swap items such as crystals for festival tickets.

The entire campsite is temporary, and participants are required to bring everything with them, from food to tents and even furniture.

Every year, several massive 'temples' are built according to a theme, and on the last day, they are burned down in a ritualistic ceremony.

This year's theme is ‘Carnival of Mirrors,’ and will likely involve mirrors and masks, according to the event's website.