8/23/2015-Fans are invited to come to Fort Marcy one more time in 2015. The Santa Fe Fuego will have a table at Zozobra.

http://www.burnzozobra.com

Zozobra is a unique cultural event staged each year by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe as a fiery and exciting kick-off to the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe. The 'Burning of Will Shusters Zozobra is presented annually the Friday of Labor Day weekend.

Friday evening at dusk the people of Santa Fe, friends new and old, all make their way to Fort Marcy Park where the Zozobra pageant takes place. Located just a few blocks from the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Zozobra, also known as Old Man Gloom (OMG) (pictured left), is the inspiration of artist Will Shuster and was introduced as part of the Fiesta events in 1926.

Shusters creation first appeared as a six-foot puppet and has since grown to about 50 feet. Made of muslin and stuffed with shredded paper Zozobra is an eerie, groaning, flailing character who appears to be part ghost and part monster. Amid fireworks and the ceremonial dances of ghosts and fire a growling Zozobra is set ablaze and it is said as the fire consumes the beast so go the feelings of gloom and doom from the past year. The flames renewing the hope and optimism of the gathered celebrants. The ever increasing desperation of the howling Zozobra can be heard echoing throughout Santa Fe.