While some groups have made a mockery of social-distanced events, one group of people — with experience wearing masks — are leading the way in creating Covid19-compliant art and music events.
Over a two day — July 24, 25 — run, the Burning Man-inspired nonprofit Sacramento Valley Spark greeted more than 900 vehicles at “Summer Spark drive-thru.”
“People were eager to find something safe to do during this somewhat bleak period,” said Ed Fletcher, president of the organization. “Our event offered something unusual.”
A 15-foot-long Bee, mobile western bar and a megaphone-powered “unicorn advise booth” were among the Burning Man-inspired art at Summer Spark drive-thru. A total of 21 art installations, mutant vehicles, the theme camps or dance stations greeted guests driving the mile loop.
“Burners (people who attend Burning Man) are used to wearing masks and googles while in the desert, so it makes sense that we lead the way in creating safe recreation,” said Fletcher.
“Burners” almost always carry a face-covering to protect their lungs from the fine dust of the dry lakebed known as the Black Rock Desert.
Summer Spark volunteers were required to wear a mask on-site and guests who rolled down their windows were asked to wear one too.
“We took great care in doing it right,” said Tiffany Allen, a veteran event planner. “Just as important as protecting guests was keeping our volunteers safe.”
The key said organizers, was to keep guests from parking. From beginning to end, they sought to keep guests moving in a single line of traffic.
Organizers had to send potential guests away after selling out with nearly 600 vehicles passes sold for Saturday night.
“Welcoming you to Rancho Cordova and welcoming you particularly to the Mine Shaft is absolutely where we ought to be” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the nonprofit Cordova Community Council, which owns the Mine Shaft.
“Creatives have always helped lead us to the next level. So if we have to live through this thing, we might as well live with it and have some fun,” Blanchard said speaking to the live community cable broadcast of the event. “You guys are really showing how to do it.”
The drive-thru format, strict physical distancing, and mask use were employed to minimize health risks. Guests did not leave their vehicles during the experience, which included ordering food and receiving food from on-site food trucks.
“It’s the same concept as driving through a holiday light display or visiting a haunted house,” said Tiffany Allen a longtime Sacramento event producer.
“In addition to collecting some amazing art previously displayed at Burning Man, the event funded original art from some of the region’s top artists working in light, kinetic, and installation art,” said Allen.
The sold-out experience bodes well for the organization’s plan to create a one-year temporary walkable art park
During the broadcast, Mayor David Sanders voiced enthusiastic support.
“We’re hoping that Sacramento Valley Spark can do a year-round facility … the art park,” Sander said. “We said ‘Yes.’ We have to work out the details.”
While three of the pieces on display were created within a few miles of the event site, several traveled from as far as Lake Tahoe and the Bay area.
“To Bee or Not to Bee,” a 15-foot long honey bee was among the artwork curated for the event. The piece by Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson Art of Alameda was one of more than 400 on display at Burning Man in 2019 and one of 75 partially funded by the Burning Man Project that year.
With Burning Man canceled this year, local burners, lead by the non-profit Sacramento Valley Spark, turned their attention to creating this unique experience.
“I’m super proud to create a safe way for people to enjoy art,” said Allen. “It was very important to keep guests and staff safe while providing a respite from the bleak days of the pandemic.”
Summer Spark was supported by a grant from the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement fund. The grant has allowed us to pay artists at a time they really need it, said Fletcher. The City of Rancho Cordova’s Comunity Enhancement Fund is supported by a ½ cent sales tax approved by Rancho Cordova voters in Nov. 2014. In 2019, the city approved 50 community projects totaling $2.1 million.
Sacramento Valley Spark is a 501(c)3 nonprofit inspired by the “10 principles of Burning Man.” The organization is also working with the City of Rancho Cordova to create a one-year temporary art park at the Mine Shaft site.
While The Burning Man Project has endorsed the Playa Art Park project, it is not specifically endorsing the drive-thru event.
