Annual gathering brings former residents back to toxic Picher, Oklahoma

The former mining town of Picher, Oklahoma, once considered one of the world's most toxic, now experiences a brief revival once a year. This annual event sees former residents return to celebrate, transforming the abandoned streets with lights and gatherings before departing, leaving the town to its silence. Picher was abandoned due to severe lead and zinc contamination from mining, coupled with the risk of catastrophic ground collapse into underground caverns.