The 92nd Annual Zozobra

In September of  last year Chris and I got to spend a month in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It ended up being one of our favorite places of 2016. There is a lot to do in and around Santa Fe. The weather was in the 70's most days and it was monsoon season so it rained a little each day but most days it was followed by rainbows.

My cousin Russell Thornton and his fiance, Elizabeth live there. Russell had just won the 92nd annual Zozobra poster contest with his amazing artwork. When we arrived we were excited to find out that the event hadn't taken place yet and we would be able to go with them.

Elizabeth, Russell and his awesome poster

Zozobra is an annual event where a 50 foot tall fully functional marionette named Zozobra aka "Old Man Gloom" is burned to cleanse the city of it's gloom.

The event takes place on the Friday before Labor Day and it is staged by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe. The tickets are very inexpensive at just $10 per adult.

When we arrived and saw Zozobra on stage we were pretty amused but not sure what to expect.

That is a big marionette

They had a band playing and then eventually some beach balls were making there way through the crowd while we waited for the event to start.

beach balls

A woman came on stage and sang The Star Spangled Banner and Zozobra slowly started coming to life by moving his arms and his eyes began to glow.

The stage was quickly filling up with fire and dancers. Things were getting intense.

I can't remember exactly when it started because I took 4 months to write this(oops) but people start chanting "burn him" over and over. It was really a big part of the fun.

The torch bearer on stage taunting Zozobra

There were lots of fireworks. He was getting more and more angry and letting out lots of loud groans.

After a lot more chanting from the crowd to "burn him" he eventually caught on fire.

Yeah by this point he was pretty much a gonner. He continued to burn and then it was all followed by an impressive fireworks show. Kind of forgot to get pictures of that. I was too busy enjoying them.

 If you are in the area or planning on being in the area around September you should check it out. Chris and I had a great time. We would definitely go again.