As many of you know, this year’s main event was affected by a county-wide burn ban, which meant we were unable to burn the effigy or the temple as planned. Both are still standing, and we’re now planning to complete this important ritual on October 10, 2026. The temple will be nested inside the effigy, and the two structures will burn together as one.

We wish we had the resources and time to throw another full-scale event to do this properly for everyone, but that’s simply not feasible. So we’ve made the difficult decision to hold a smaller, invite-only gathering instead. Please know this isn’t about exclusion; it’s a practical necessity to safely manage the burn and clear the space ahead of next year’s event.

This effigy also serves as a memorial to a beloved long-time participant and dedicated volunteer we lost last year. With that in mind, invitations will go out to those who were close to them, along with the skeleton crew of volunteers needed to safely run this smaller gathering.

Because this is such a small gathering, we’ll need everyone who attends to pitch in. This means committing to helping keep the event safe and doing your part to return the land to its pre-event condition before we leave. We’re counting on each other to make this happen with the same care and love this community always brings.

For those who won’t be able to join us in person, we will make our best attempt to livestream the burn so the wider community can witness this moment together, even from afar. Details on how to tune in will be shared closer to the date.

A few important details:

• Invitations to purchase tickets will be sent out early next week. Please keep an eye on your inbox.
• Space will be limited given the scope of this gathering.
• We’ll share livestream details as the date approaches.

We know this format isn’t what everyone hoped for, and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate these logistics with care and respect, both for safety and for the memory we’re honoring.

Thank you for your continued support of this community.