Year and
Mark's
Rating

Name
and information

1999

Floppy Man (completed)
Body: wreath tree bones.
Head: cardboard that kids painted.
Suspension: propped by 2x4 or tree bone in back.
Ignition: paper stuffed in feet.
    Created on the spot on the day of the Oktoberfest. Fell over after approximately 45 seconds of burning.

2000

First Dancing Man
Body: tree bones. First anatomical Man with torso, arms, legs wired and chained.
Head: painted paper mache built over a giant balloon.
(First true) Suspension: single post; wooden suspension beam of 2x4's bolted together.
Ignition: starter fire? paper?
    Held together purely by positive energy.

2001

First Iron I-Beam Dancing Man
Body: tree bones; multi-part arms and legs.
Head: folded foamcore with the crown of sparklers that Mark lit by hand.
Suspension: first double post; suspending iron I-beam.
Ignition: danced over starter fire?
    Crowd impressed by the many technical improvements and man's capability to move and dance.

2002

Dud man
Body: tree torso, tree bones; multi-part arms and legs.
Head: folded foamcore with the crown of sparklers that wouldn't light.
Suspension: repeat double post suspending iron I-beam.
Ignition: Accelerant!
(First) Incendiary devices: Steve's Eyes
    Steady rain soaked the starter fire and Man. Steve's eye fireworks were the only successful element that night. With a bit of gasoline, and coals Mark brought from the cooking fire, the man finally smoldered, smoked and burned. A successful burn once started.

2003
Rating:
3

First Animated Arms
Body: tree torso, tree bones; multi-part arms and legs.
Head: sonotube with leftover fireworks.
Suspension: repeat double post suspending iron I-beam. Arm poles on I-beam.
Ignition: danced over cooking fire coals.
Incendiary devices: (first) sonotube head, with leftover fireworks; background by Terrie and Pete.
(First) Choreographed music: tape playing appropriate songs.
    Arms rose and lowered independently. Old Man Gloom theme introduced.

2004
Rating:
4

Clown Production Man
Body: tree torso, tree bones; multi-part arms and legs.
Head: sonotube with fireworks by Pete.
Suspension: repeat double post suspending iron I-beam. Arm poles on I-beam.
Ignition: Women's Home Fire Krewe.
Incendiary devices: sonotube head by Pete; rockets; torches by Steve; background by Terrie and Pete.
Choreographed music: tape playing appropriate songs.
    Man rose during event. Rockets shot at Man on fishing line. Old Man Gloom theme played out to absurdity by Clown Krewe. Biggest crowd in attendance.

2005
Rating:
2

Towering Inferno Man (during erection)
Body: whole trees suspended from crossed lombardypoplar poles.
Head: platform with fireworks by Pete.
Suspension: standing, with guy wires.
Ignition: by hand.
Incendiary devices: platform head by Pete; background by Terrie and Pete.
Choreographed music: first appearence of Precht's Drum Circle.
    Created on poplar poles using Steve's tractor. When poles broke at 5:15 the evening before the event, entire Man was rebuilt (under the guidance of and with Hero Steve's impetus). Additional trees added next morning, head added, Man raised and guyed. Immense fire despite light drizzle.

2006
Rating:
1

Insane Son of Towering Inferno Man (during erection) (see it at youtube) with First Circus of Fire
Body: whole trees suspended from crossed poles of one walnut, one other.
Head: sheet of Coroplast.
Arms: bamboo
Suspension: standing, with guy wires.
Ignition: by hand with torch.
Incendiary devices: background by Terrie and Pete.
Choreographed music: Precht's Drum Circle.
    80 or more whole Christmas trees used to construct Man. Various small burning events before hand, scattered around field: campfire blue pile; erect trees; Cremora bombs; zoopzoop; crackling fuse fountain preceded ultimately immense burn with extravagant fireworks. Bucky scared himself.

2007

Pallet Man with Circus of Fire (see it at youtube)
Body: wooden pallets.
Head: (none).
Arms: pallets
Suspension: free standing.
Ignition: by hand; newspaper and lamp oil.
Incendiary devices: firecrackers and sparkle balls in Man.
Choreographed music: drumming by audience.
    100 or more wooden pallets used to construct Man in front field. Circus of Fire before Man comprised: Pete's Sorcerer's Fire, Wall of Fire (Christmas trees), Firewire by Steve and Duane, Steve's Fire Trebuchet, Fire Banner suspended from tripod, Sean's Fire Drop. Artistic burn, collapse before full burn was dramatic.

2008

Son of Pallet Man with Incredible New Circus of Fire
Body: wooden pallets.
Head: hydrogen balloon.
Arms: pallets
Suspension: free standing.
Ignition: by hand; lamp oil dismal failure. Gasoline and Christmas trees.
Incendiary devices: small firecrackers in legs.
Choreographed music: Mark's tape playing from van.
    100 or more wooden pallets used to construct Man in front field. Circus of Fire during Man comprised: Jodie's Glowing Man, Firewire by Duane, Steve's Fire Slingshot, Hula Hoop Girls, Elaine as Grinder Girl. Full burn was achieved despite rain.

2009

Towering Pallet Man with Circus of Fire (see below for youtube link)
Body: wooden pallets. 28' 2".
Head: none.
Arms: pallets
Suspension: free standing.
Ignition: by hand with Steve's Torches. Feet stuffed with blue spuce branches and doused with diesel fuel.
Incendiary devices: small firecrackers; Jody's 45 railroad flares in legs.
Music: None.
    100 or more wooden pallets used to construct Man in front field. Circus of Fire before Man comprised: Bamboo torches, Firewire by Steve's friend, Christmas tree and bamboo teepee. Full burn under a glorious Harvest Moon. Clear bright day and night. Bamboo cracked and banged. Rumors of a brief visit by official vehicle.

2010

Towering Pallet Man (youtube)

2011

(lost in the mists of time)

2012

Oktopocalypse! (picture gallery)
Body: wooden pallets. (approx.) 27".
Head: painted Mayan mask with glowstick eyes.
Arms: pallets on 2x4s.
Suspension: free standing with guy wire.
Ignition: Pyramid stuffed with evergreen branches, lit by Bill and Jody with Steve's torches. Fires doused with Pete's alcohol fuel.
Incendiary devices: Pete's sorcerer's fires on pyramid before burn.
Music: Recorded soundtrack; drumming by Prechts and Paul.
    Wood pallets used to construct Man in front field with Mayan style pyramid base: 4 extending stepped walls. Best ever amazing Circus of Fire before Man comprised: Fireworks by Scott. Sky lanterns sent up by crowd volunteers. Steve's bamboo torches held by volunteers. Firewire by Jay, Howling fire towers on Man's base by Steve. Eerie Ghost mines and fire banner by Pete. Flaming arrows and Cremora bombs by Bill Houck. Belly dancing by Ka'ren. Fire poi by Linda. Christmas tree and bamboo teepee. Full burn under a fitful Harvest Moon.