Burning Man, the eclectic desert festival known for its art, music and spirit of “self-expression and self-reliance,” wrapped up one of the strangest annual celebrations in memory with a major dust storm, an unexpected birth in the desert, and an as-yet unsolved murder reported in the middle of the festivities.

Known for drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the desolate Black Rock Desert in Nevada, about 120 miles north of Reno, the nine-day festival has a reputation for introducing the unexpected to revelers, and this year seemed to be no exception.

The event started out with its challenges right off the bat, with a major dust storm that knocked down tents, damaged art installations and forced organizers to temporarily close the event gates and a nearby airport.

The intense winds r

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