BLACK ROCK CITY, Nevada -- Wild rides, fireworks and letting it all hang out. That's the updated American dream at Burning Man 2008.

The annual desert gathering always celebrates that most-American ideal: freedom. Freedom to ride a giant red, white and blue tricycle across the playa; freedom to blow your mind however you want; freedom to traipse around wearing nothing but body paint.

That kind of ingrained whimsy, rather than politics, seems to be the point of this year's American Dream art theme at Burning Man. "What has America achieved that you admire?" is the event's official statement. "What has it done or failed to do that fills you with dismay? What is laudable? What is ludicrous?"

Groovy, man. Let's get it on.

Left: Red, white and blue abounds at the festival this year.

Red, white and blue abounds at the festival this year.

A stagecoach rolls up the esplanade on Tuesday evening.

Duane Flatmo from Eureka, California, steers his fire-breathing dragon around the esplanade Tuesday.

After hunkering down during Monday's sandstorm, burners break out their colorful costumes Tuesday -- including some that are just painted on. Robin Bowles, right, and her friend Cowboy Curtis chill on the playa on a "fuzzy bunny." The Man can be seen far off in the distance on the left.

A group of burners break out a desert "boat" to parade across the playa.

Black Rock City is humming Thursday.

Lamp Lighters walk down the esplanade Tuesday.

A panel van decked out with a lit-up Golden Gate Bridge makes its way across the sand Tuesday.

Tutu-wearing burner Diana Zanelli of Texas delights in the swirl of lights from inside artist Crispell Wagner's "modern version of the dream machine," an interactive piece of light art.

Home is where the art is at Burning Man.

The Man glows with neon as Helen Corley from San Ramon, California, twirls her flow lights below the festival's namesake icon in Black Rock City.

A giant duck lights up the night Tuesday as it rolls across the dusty desert floor.