Rather than being a spectacle to observe, RazorBurn is an experience shaped by the people inside it. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping things smooth, and this guide is here to help!
First and foremost, please familiarize yourself with The 10 Principles, inspired by the founder of Burning Man as a shared set of values reflective of the community’s growing culture. These Principles serve as the framework that allows RazorBurn to unfold as a volunteer-created, participatory environment that invites a communal sense of whimsy, play, and creative expression.
Where? Razor-what?
RazorBurn makes its home at Reclaim, a secluded private property in Rutland, Ohio. Once a strip mine, the property has been “reclaimed” by its current owner and carefully nurtured back toward a natural state. Today it sits alongside native plant sanctuaries and continues to heal through long-term stewardship.
Various Ohio regionals and events have gathered here since 2009. Early on, the land was in a more unbalanced state. Weather, event timing, and vigorous plant growth often led to tough, stubborn grass, even when mown, unique enough to become a memorable feature of its own. Folks started affectionately calling it “the razor grass,” akin to the way Black Rock City rises from the playa. “See you in the razor grass” became a shorthand regional expression for excitement, community, and returning home.
Now, thanks to the careful stewardship of the property owner, the grasses have softened and the meadows and forests have matured. The razor grass itself is a thing of the past. But the name stuck, carried forward in shared stories and fond memories.
The name “RazorBurn” is a wink to that history as well as an invitation to wordplay and whimsy. Remember – communities, like places, evolve through participation, attention, and time.
Ticket, Transfers, & Terms
Every RazorBurn attendee must have a ticket under the name that matches their legal government ID (Be sure to bring your ID – we have to card everyone to come in). There will be no gate sales – all tickets must be purchased in advance! Since this is RazorBurn’s first bloom, attendance is 18+ only. RazorBurn will be an all-ages event beginning in 2027!
- January 27: Ticket sales open at $125 (all fees included) with 300 tickets available.
- April 15: Final day of $125 ticket sales!
- April 16: Cost of any remaining tickets increases to $140
- May 15: Final day of ticket sales and transfers!
All tickets are will-call/virtual. After your purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Volunteeripate. It’s basically your golden ticket, so keep it safe; you may need it to confirm your purchase or to pass your ticket along in the event you need to transfer. The address of the event will be on your confirmation email.
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, RazorBurn and its parent organization reserve the right to refuse ticket sales or entry, and to remove any guest whose behavior is disruptive or poses a safety risk to themselves or others.
In general, RazorBurn has a no refund policy. Late entries, early departures for any reason, or unused tickets will not receive a refund. Should RazorBurn be cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances outside the control of the organizers, the event leads may transfer tickets to the next event or offer full or partial refunds at their discretion.
Arrivals & Departures
Whatever your route to RazorBurn, the last part of your journey will be through winding country roads, small towns, and rural vistas. It’s lovely, so take your time! It’s also a holiday weekend in rural Ohio so be practical; buckle up and make sure your license plates are visible. Be incredibly mindful of your speed. Off the state highways, farm machinery and horses with buggies are common on the roads. Again – do NOT speed! The whimsy will be waiting for you!
The property is remote, and cell service and GPS have improved over the years but can still be patchy. Consider downloading the map route or having an analog set of directions just in case. And please, don’t count on having cell service at the event. Again, the event address will be on your ticket email.
Gate hours
- Thursday, May 21: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Friday, May 22: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Saturday, May 23: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- There will be no entry after 3:00 pm Saturday!
- All participants must depart by 1:00 pm Monday, May 25
Once you make the final turn and enter RazorBurn, the speed limit is 5 mph. The driveway into the land is one way! Barring emergencies, once you’re in, you’re in until you leave for good unless special accommodations have been made with event leadership. Come prepared to stay and bring everything you need, especially water!
Follow the winding gravel road until you make your way to our friendly and capable Gate crew. If you find yourself in line, feel free to make friends, but please stay near your vehicle so we can keep things moving!
Our gate team is here to do both the official business of getting you checked in and credentialed and the more whimsical business of welcoming you into RazorBurn.
Practically, you can expect:
- Having your ID and ticket purchase verified
- To check in, you’ll need your valid government ID matching the name your ticket is under.
- Confirming that your waiver is signed
- Every attendee must sign a waiver of liability to enter the event
- Getting your wristband (and maybe other swag 👀)
- Ensuring you don’t have any stowaways or prohibited items
Whimsically, you can expect:
- Being welcomed home!
- Making sure you understand community policies like Leave No Trace and radical self-reliance
- Updates about the land or weather you may need
- Having key locations pointed out, like portos, Rangers, etc.
Parking & Setting Up Camp
After you finish at Gate, you’ll roll up to check in with the Parking & Shuttle team.
Because this land is still healing, we’re thoughtful about how and where we drive. Shuttles are available to help get you and your gear to your campsite while minimizing impact to the property. Weather permitting, you may have the option to drive to your campsite and unload before returning your vehicle to the main parking area. We strongly encourage using the shuttle system whenever possible.
If the ground is wet or conditions require it, we’ll shift to a no-driving policy to prevent damage, and all participants will use the shuttle system to access camping areas. Either way, the Parking & Shuttle crew will guide you through the process and keep things moving.
They’ll also help orient you to the event layout – theme camps, open camping, roadways – which will be clearly marked. If there have been any major changes to the event map, they’ll relay updates so you can get oriented and settle in safely and quickly.
With the exception of the designated RV/car camping area, all vehicles must move to the parking lot after unloading. The main lot will be located off the drive near the gate, and you’ll have access to your vehicle throughout the event.
One final note in this area: please lock your vehicle. RazorBurn is participatory, not policed; the event isn’t responsible for damage or theft.
Know the Land
Although the main clearings of Reclaim are very open and mostly flat, the property itself sits atop a large hill. A few steps into the woods, the terrain changes quickly, with steep slopes and sudden drop offs.
Be aware of your surroundings, day and night, and stick to the mowed clearing and established paths. The woods are beautiful, but they’re not part of our event footprint. Please don’t wander beyond marked areas or attempt hiking off-trail.
There’s a small pond on the property that supports a lively ecosystem (and an impressive chorus of frogs). Feel free to admire it from the banks, but the pond itself is a no entry zone (and not safe to drink!)
RazorBurn unfolds within a vibrant and recovering landscape. You’ll likely encounter a variety of spiders, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and a range of other insects. Bring insect repellent, keep your tent zipped, and give your bedding a shake every so often. Ticks are present, if not common, especially near the treelines, so plan accordingly.
The morning birdsong is becoming a symphony! Raccoons and other clever creatures tend to stay away during noisy hours, but unsecured trash or gray water might be irresistible. Store things thoughtfully!
The weather at RazorBurn might hint at the playa in spirit, but in the end it’s 100% Ohio. It will most likely be sunny, warm-to-hot, and breezy during the day with cooler nights after dark. However, rain is always possible, and even frost has made an appearance at this time of year. Come prepared for variety!
Pack with Intention
RazorBurn is built on radical self-reliance and shared creativity. Come prepared to take care of yourself in a primitive camping environment, then bring the extra pieces that make it magical.
Start with the basics. Plan for sun, wind, possible rain, and cool nights. Bring sturdy shelter, bedding appropriate for fluctuating temperatures, enough water for drinking and washing up, enough food for your stay, and the means to store and prepare it safely. Bring spare TP for the portos, just in case. (1-ply only!) Pack lighting for yourself and your camp at night. Headlamps and small flashlights are practical. Glowing, blinking, luminous self-expression is also encouraged!
Bring what you need to stay comfortable, too:
- Weather-appropriate clothes (layers are everyone’s friend!)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen & sun protection – think hats, parasols, personal canopies
- A refillable water bottle for when you’re out and about (and a cup in case you encounter someone sharing something delicious!)
- Trash, recycling, and gray water containers
- A basic first aid kit
- Anything you need to manage your health
Once you’ve covered survival, consider what you’d like to contribute and what extra touches might thrill you to wear or bring or share. That might look like almost anything!
Costumes and headpieces. Instruments. Art supplies. A lending library. A hobby horse stable. That dress you’ve always wanted to wear. A game table. A skill share. A pop up pizza window. An improv night. Your best questions. The strange and beautiful ideas you keep meaning to try.
That said, some items simply don’t belong here.
Prohibited items include:
- Fireworks
- Firearms
- Explosives
- Lasers
- Pellet guns or air guns
- Propane “poofers” or other compressed combustibles
- Any weapon intended to cause harm
If you’re not sure whether something falls in this category, err on the side of leaving it at home.
And because we love this land:
- No glitter
- No feather boas or shedding costume pieces
- No loose sequins
- No straw bales or real vegetation
- No items designed to break apart, scatter, or shed
- Avoid excessive packaging! De-MOOP while you pack!
If it’s likely to fragment, fray, leak, or drift away, it’s better left behind.
Leave No Trace /
Pack It In, Pack It Out
RazorBurn is a Leave No Trace event. Everything you bring in should leave with you, and ideally when we’re gone, it should look like we were never there. Plan ahead to pack out everything you bring and any trash you generate and to make as little impact on the land as possible.
Preventing and addressing MOOP – or Matter Out Of Place – is everyone’s responsibility. Taking care of the site is part of our civic duty to each other and helps make sure we can continue gathering on this beautiful property for years to come.
Make a plan to leave with all of your garbage, recyclables, food waste, ashes, and gray water. Sturdy trash or contractor bags, lidded buckets, and gloves are excellent tools to have on hand.
Fire Containment
- Do NOT create new fire pits or burn scars!
- A few established fire circles may host community fires.
- Personal or camp fires must be contained in appropriate vessels and elevated at least 8” off the ground – or high enough to prevent scorching – using bricks, cinderblocks, or similarly sturdy materials. Find more information in the “Art & Fire” section!
- Fire remnants (ash, partially burnt wood, other stuff you threw in the fire) must be packed out with you.
Gray Water
Gray water is wastewater generated by washing, whether that’s washing dishes, hands, objects, or people.
- Collect gray water in your own containers – jugs or buckets with lids work well – and pack it out with you at the end of the event. Some folks use various evaporation set-ups to reduce the amount of gray water to pack out.
- Never dump gray water on the ground, in portos, or in the pond.
MOOP Happens. We Deal With It Together.
MOOP is a noun (I found some MOOP!), a verb (Time to de-MOOP the camp!), and occasionally an adjective (That feather boa sure is MOOPy!) A little awareness goes a long way.
- De-MOOP your gear as you pack! Remove excess packaging and check items that might fray, shed, or fall apart.
- Plan outfits wisely; sequins shed, feathers drift, and loose bits become MOOP.
What Not to Bring
- No glitter, y’all. Truly. None. No, not even the “biodegradable” kind.
- Avoid feathers, loose sequins, and anything in danger of shedding.
- No real vegetation, straw bales, or plant matter – not only are they MOOPy, they could spread seeds or otherwise impact Reclaim’s ecosystem.
On Site
- Keep camp contained and tidy.
- Check your vehicle for fluid leaks before departure – leaks are MOOP, harmful to the land, and dangerous to you.
- A great guideline: “Never let it hit the ground.”
- If you see MOOP, pick it up, even if it’s not yours.
Shared Resources
Radical Self-Reliance is an important principle, balanced by Civic Responsibility and Communal Effort. RazorBurn is an experiment in primitive glamping at its finest, but there are some shared resources we can all rely on. (Many of which you can volunteer for!)
Firewood
Please do NOT bring firewood from external areas. The struggles with invasive insects may overwhelm Reclaim’s ecosystem. Firewood for use will be available on-site. Please bring a cart, tarp, pennyfarthing, or other conveyance to haul wood to your camp, and please return unused wood to the pile at the end of the event.
Ice
In the interest of food safety and minimizing vehicle traffic, RazorBurn organizers will coordinate ice runs during the event. Small bags are available for $3 – please drop off cash at the central Volunteer Tent by noon.
Ice arrivals will be announced loudly from center field!
Porta-Potties
Whether you call them portos, porta-lets, porta-johns, or honey buckets, these familiar huts of human relief can be found in convenient locations throughout the event. Accessible versions are provided as well!
A few best practices for community portos:
- If it wasn’t made by your body, it doesn’t go in the potty!
- Except for one-ply toilet paper!
- Put the seat down and close the lid when you’re done with your business (I promise, this reduces the smell inside!)
- Keep menstrual products, medical waste, and trash of any sort out of the portos!
Rangers
Rangers are volunteer participants who help keep the community safe and supported throughout the event. Drawing inspiration from the Burning Man Ranger model, they provide calm, neutral support and can connect people with specific resources like LNT, medical, or the mobility shuttle, check in on situations that might be getting out of hand, and assist with conflict resolution.
Rangers aren’t police or security by any means, and they have exactly as much power as the community invests in them. They’re just experienced folks who are there to de-escalate, listen, and help people find solutions. If you’re unsure about a situation, need assistance, or just aren’t sure who to ask or talk to, a Ranger is a good place to start.
Consider finding a Ranger in situations like:
- A serious conflict between participants that could use a neutral mediator
- A consent concern or uncomfortable interaction
- Someone who appears lost, in distress, or overwhelmed
- A situation that feels like it might escalate
If someone is injured, unresponsive, experiencing a serious health issue, or needs immediate medical attention, go directly to Medical or alert the nearest volunteer right away! Speaking of…
Medical
As always, radical self-reliance applies: bring the medications, supplies, and personal care items you need to stay healthy and comfortable throughout the weekend. Bring a basic first-aid kit, your daily medications, meds you only take every so often, and your inhaler/epi-pen/other critical care specific to you!
For injuries, illness, or health concerns bigger than you can handle in camp, please visit the medical station or alert the nearest Ranger so they can help connect you with care.
The medical station will be clearly marked on the event map and will be stocked with basic first aid and limited support during the event. Volunteers may be available to assist with problems.
More serious medical situations may require participants to leave the site for treatment or coordination with 911 and local medical professionals. If that happens, the volunteers and Rangers can help facilitate getting you the care you need and returning to the event if possible.
The nearest hospital is Holzer Meigs Emergency Department, 41861 Pomeroy Pike, Pomeroy, OH 45769.
Consent & Respect
Consent should be an active and ongoing part of our daily lives. At events like RazorBurn, we intentionally take ourselves outside of “the usual,” and it can be even more important than normal that we pay attention to our own boundaries and needs and those of the folks around us. We hope to grow a culture of active consent through practice, awareness, and accountability.
Before:
- taking someone’s picture
- hugging or touching someone
- using someone’s property
- using a mister on someone or spraying them with sunscreen
- any other action that may disrupt an individual’s personal space
Respect that anything which isn’t a clear “yes” means “no”. If a “no” is given, stop. Giving gratitude to the other person for communicating that “no” with you is awesome!
Get consent. Just ask. It’s that simple.
Consent is active, explicit, voluntary, informed, and reversible at any time. Consent CANNOT be given while unconscious, incapacitated, or asleep.
Sexual harassment, threat, assault, or stalking of any sort will not be tolerated.
Participants who experience a consent incident at RazorBurn can ask a Ranger or anyone with a radio for assistance and support. However the attendee decides to proceed from there, their privacy will be respected. RazorBurn’s response might be quiet or situational and may not always be expulsion. Organizers will provide support contacting emergency services should the participant wish, but attendees should not expect adjudication of any sort, including extensive mediation of consent violations, from event organizers, especially post-event.
Sound & Shared Space
Reclaim sits on a hilltop surrounded by rock walls, creating something of a natural amphitheater. Sound carries differently here, and the echoes and bass can travel far beyond the property.
RazorBurn is new and still earning our stripes with the property’s neighbors, and in that we need to be respectful with our noise pollution.
Sound checks will be conducted throughout the event. If you plan to bring amplified sound, please register here as a sound camp or installation so we know where sound will be located.
Sound Guidelines
- Sound from any installation should not exceed 90 dB at 40 feet from its source
- Sound checks will take place throughout the event; feel free to check in with Volunteer Hub if you have questions.
- Do not leave any sound systems running loudly and unattended.
Turn-Down Times
- Thursday: 11:59 PM
- Friday: 3:00 AM
- Saturday: 3:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:59 PM
This means about <60 dB at 30 feet – don’t make your neighbors hate you.
Bass and volume restrictions lift again at 10:00 AM (Friday-Sunday).
Generators
Generators must be properly baffled to reduce noise.
RazorBurn encourages radical self expression through music and sound and what it brings to the community. Be mindful of others. Keep it intentional and be aware of how it travels. Disruptions or repeated violations of sound policies may result in intervention or removal from the event.
Art & Fire
Like many events inspired by Burning Man, fire, creativity, and art of all sizes – installations, performances, and weird little experiments – are a central part of life at RazorBurn.
Art & Installations
If you’re bringing an art installation and you would like to request placement for it or register it for the event map, you can register here.
Temple & Effigy
Among the works of art are two pieces designed and built by volunteers on behalf of the entire community: the Effigy and the Temple.
Throughout the event, the Effigy serves as a kind of center point for RazorBurn. Participants are welcome to visit, interact with, and spend time around it. Have a pop up potluck! Host a dance party! Teach yoga! Depending on the design, it might be climbable or otherwise interactive!
In contrast to the Effigy, the Temple provides a quieter space. It’s a place for reflection, remembrance, and honoring people, experiences, or moments that participants wish to hold with care. Some people leave notes or small memorials. Others simply spend time present within the quiet of the grove.
Saturday night after sunset, the community gathers to celebrate. Fire performers help open the evening with a conclave, and the field fills with music, movement, and a sense of antici…pation. It all culminates when the Effigy is set ablaze. (With no fireworks! Just accelerants and whimsy!)
For some people, the burn represents release. To others, it’s celebration, transformation, closure, and/or a joyful moment among friends. Like a lot of RazorBurn, the meaning is personal and collective at the same time.
Where the Effigy burn is celebratory and outward-facing, the Temple burn is slower, quieter, and more contemplative. On Sunday, the Temple is transported from its grove to the main burn site where the Effigy once stood. At sunset, the community gathers again, and the Temple is set alight in a simple and respectful burn.
Fire Spinning & Conclave
Flow artists and fire spinners commonly dot the RazorBurn landscape. If you’re planning to spin fire during the event, please attend at least one Fire Safety Meeting before lighting up.
These brief gatherings are held daily at Ranger / Volunteer HQ near the main field, and are led by our lead conclave organizers. Attendance is recorded, and participants will receive a wristband or other marker indicating they’ve completed the safety orientation.
During the meeting, our Fire And Safety Team (FAST) will review important guidelines including fuel depot procedures, how to safely extinguish prop, person, or fuel fires, event safety words, and other best practices to help keep performers and spectators safe.
The full fire art guidelines are also available in the RazorBurn FAQs.
Fire arts that involve explosives, propane puffers, or other compressed combustibles are prohibited.
Vehicle Art
Sadly we cannot accommodate mobile art cars on our land at this time. Creative people-power, however, is highly encouraged! Questions? Contact [email protected]
Volunteer Info
RazorBurn is a Volunteer Infovolunteer-fueled event. Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play!
But Where Do I Fit?
Whether you’re outgoing or shy, interested in wandering the Burn or chillin’ in the shade – there’s a way to get involved and help the event happen!
- Gate volunteers chill and check people’s ticket info – tag and release!
- Rangers wander the Burn checking in on their neighbors, being friendly faces and the first point of contact for help!
- Leave-no-trace volunteers (aka Earth Guardians) wander the property picking up MOOP and keeping our land looking sharp – a good job for goblin types and treasure hunters!
- Effigy Guardians or Perimeter Keepers help ensure the Effigy or Temple structures can burn safely and get to watch the faces light up in the fire glow!
- And more!
View the various Volunteer opportunities under the “Department” tabs in the Menu of Volunteeripate.
Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to read about our community’s guidelines. When we all agree to radically respect one-another, our best artful selves are free to show. These events only work when attendees participate with their full selves. If you’ve never attended, I assure you it is a wonder to see.