RENO, NV - The gates to Black Rock City open Monday at midnight, kicking off the annual Burning Man Festival near Gerlach. Despite the recession, event organizers expect nearly 50,000 people to attend this year. Some local business owners say the money these 'burners' spend in our area is equivalent to the money they make during the notoriously high-volume Christmas season.

You can easily spot a burner's car by finding the ones cram-packed with everything a person needs to spend a week on the playa.

We asked a few burners for their definition of essential and got this answer: "backpacks, sleeping bags, air mattresses." From another well-stocked burner: "fresh fruit, nuts, ice, juice, salty things."

Local tourism officials say on average, burners spend about 15-million dollars on supplies at our local stores--plus many stay at least a few nights in a local hotel, bringing in room tax revenue we so desperately need.

Employees at a Save Mart store on Keystone Avenue say inside the store, they sell everything that's essential for Burning Man, things like glow sticks, batteries, bandannas. By the end of the week, they're usually sold out.

While many burners confess to spending thousands of dollars in preparation for the event, local businesses are happy to be of use. Save Mart employees say their 39 cent per gallon water filling station is a huge hit.

"You have to get a lot of gear, which is expensive, but it seems like a lot of fun, out partying for a whole week," said Katina Brady, burner from Australia.

And then there's always the unexpected costs that you can't plan for.

"I woke up last night with a terrible toothache and went to a local dentist and spent lots of money, $400 or $500," added New Zealand burner, Brayden Sullivan.

So how do these burners afford to head to Burning Man, even during these tough times? Some say the recession means they may have to budget a little more this year, but at least taking vacation time didn't get in the way.

Paulie Sequeira from Seattle is headed to Burning Man for the first time: "I got laid off, but I was able to save up while I was working."

"Work has been slow and money is a little tighter, but Burning Man is so awesome, I'd go out no matter how much money I had," added burner Jean Luc Bengle from Seattle.

Many burners say the annual event is the only real vacation they take each year, so they have plenty of money saved up to spend this week.

Local residents are also hoping to bank off playa-bound burners. Monday morning, the 'for sale' section of the free classified website, "Craig's List" had more than 650 posting for Burning Man items for sale, including things like bicycles, camp stoves and generators