Santa Fe, NM Real Estate Blog

A yearly Santa Fe event you will not want to miss. A Pre-Fiestas tradition in its 94th year, Zozobra brings all of New Mexico together for one night. We burn our troubles away as Old Man Gloom and all of his theatrics burn to the ground. Friday the 31st rain or shine, tickets can be found on burnzozobra.com

 A little history about Zozobra, William Schuster Jr. first created Zozo in 1924 in his backyard as he was inspired by the Holy Week celebrations of the Yaqui Indians of Mexico. Schuster himself personally oversaw the work that went into Zozobra up until 1964 when he gave the Kiwanis club his blessing to take it over for him.

Old Man Gloom is a evil monster who was created to be burned. He brings upon feelings of doom and gloom. Put on by the Kiwanis Club every year Zozobra is created in a span of three weeks. With over 3,500 volunteers he comes to life, stuffed with shredded paper and the doom and gloom of Santa Feans, including divorce papers, mortgage papers even wedding dresses. Anything that can burn can be taken to be stuffed into Zozobra. So many New Mexicans look forward to the night of Zozobra as a form of new beginnings as the past is burned away.

Zozobra also known as Old Man Gloom is a 50 foot marionette, growing rapidly from what once was a six-foot-puppet in Will Schuster’s backyard to larger than life creation. Part ghost part monster known as the enemy of all that is good, he brings a darkness over the city of Santa Fe.

Old Man Gloom is burned the Friday before Labor Day and thousands show up to watch the momentous event in person. A highly anticipated event held at Fort Marcy Park, with live musical performances, food and other tasty treats readily available as you wait for Old Man Gloom to burn. If you cannot be there or you do not live in Santa Fe Zozobra is live streamed around the world for all to see. If you live in Santa Fe or know of Zozobra it is not so strange but for those who are unaware burning a 50 feet marionette can be odd, but for locals or those who love to celebrate it is a new beginning and lets you be free of worries and struggles to start Fiesta week on the right foot. This is an event you will not want to miss!

Tickets can be bought at burnzozobra.com