Wasteland Weekend facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wasteland Weekend |
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Wasteland Weekend Main Gate
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| Begins | September 25, 2024 |
| Ends | September 29, 2024 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Edwards, California, United States |
| Years active | 14 |
| Inaugurated | October 22, 2010 |
| Founder | Karol Bartoszynski Jared Butler James Howard |
| Attendance | 4,300 (2019) |
| Organised by | Jared Butler Adam Chilson |
Wasteland Weekend is an exciting annual festival held in Edwards, California. It's a "full immersion" event, which means everyone who attends must dress up and act according to the special theme. The festival has been held every September since 2010. The only year it didn't happen was 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Wasteland Weekend, you'll see amazing costumes, campsites, and vehicles, all designed to look like they're from a world after a big disaster. The event also features live bands, DJs, fire performers, and exciting Jugger matches.
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About Wasteland Weekend
Wasteland Weekend is a unique festival that brings a fictional world to life. It's like stepping into a movie! The main idea comes from stories and movies about a "post-apocalyptic" world. This means a world that has changed a lot after a major event, like a disaster.
What to Expect at the Festival
The festival is known for its detailed themes. Everyone who comes is part of the experience. You'll see many creative outfits and decorated vehicles. People build amazing campsites that fit the theme too.
- Costumes: Everyone dresses up in outfits that look like they belong in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Vehicles: Cars and bikes are often customized to look like they've survived a tough future.
- Music and Shows: There are live bands, DJs, and performers who put on exciting shows, including fire displays.
- Games: You can watch or even try out games like Jugger, which is a sport inspired by a movie.
History of the Festival
Wasteland Weekend started in 2010 and has grown a lot since then. The very first event had about 350 people. By 2019, which was its 10th anniversary, over 4,300 people attended!
How it Started
The idea for Wasteland Weekend came from similar events in other countries. The first festival was held in October 2010 in California City, California. It was organized by Karol Bartoszynski, Jared Butler, and Jim Howard.
The first event was a big success. It even got a video message from George Miller, the director of the famous Mad Max movies. Over the years, some of the original organizers moved on. Today, Jared Butler and Adam Chilson run the event through their company, Wasteland World Inc.
Festival Growth
In 2017, the festival grew from four days to five days. It now starts on the last Wednesday of September. The event has become very popular, often selling out all its tickets. After the 2020 event was cancelled, the 11th festival took place from September 22 to 26, 2021.
The Festival's Theme
The main theme of Wasteland Weekend is heavily inspired by apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction. This type of story imagines what the world would be like after a major disaster. The most famous influence is the Mad Max movie series.
Inspired by Popular Stories
In its early years, Wasteland Weekend was often called "Mad Max fun in the California sun." But the theme also draws ideas from other popular stories. These include the video game series Wasteland and the Fallout games. All these stories share a vision of a future world that has been greatly changed.
Dressing for the Theme
A key part of Wasteland Weekend is that everyone must wear clothes that fit the theme. This helps create the "full immersion" experience. It makes you feel like you've truly stepped into a post-apocalyptic world.
Other Events by the Organizers
The team behind Wasteland Weekend has also created other fun events. These spin-off events share a similar creative spirit.
- The Wasteland Film Festival: Started in 2013, this festival showcases movies related to the post-apocalyptic theme.
- The Wasteland World Car Show: Since 2016, this show features amazing custom vehicles that fit the festival's style.
- The Wastelanders Ball: This event, which began in 2017, is a themed ball for fans.
In 2022, the same team launched a new festival called Neotropolis. This event has a different theme, focusing on sci-fi and cyberpunk worlds.
