Burning Zozobra

[Skylace]

Just after dusk Thursday evening, the woes and worries of the past year went up in a spectacular display of fire and pyrotechnics as the torch was set to Zozobra.

The 82st burning of Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, happened at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe at about 9:00 pm. The annual event opened the Fiesta de Santa Fe, the City Different?s annual equivalent of a harvest festival.

Zozobra, a 40-foot, 1,600 pound mechanized marionette, symbolized all the troubles of the past year that people wanted to be rid of. Following an evening of entertainment, the crowd of thousands at the park erupted into a chant of, ?burn him, burn him, burn him,? until a dancer with a torch set flame to the puppet.

As the flames rose around him, Zozobra twisted and roared and the crowd cheered until there was nothing left but flames and fireworks erupting from the effigy.
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I've never been able to attend the burning of Zozobra. But I've seen it on tv and met others who have. It sounds like a lot of fun. I need to try and get there one year. And from what I can tell no police officers have ever been harmed in the burnings


http://www.zozobra.com/ This is the official site and it's got some pretty interesting stuff

[Gasman59]

Cool story !!!
I think I need my very own "Zozobra" to burn....

[IRiSHMaFIA]

That looks totally cool. I'd love to see that as it looks to be quite spectacular.

Thanks for sharing Skylace, and if you ever do make it, try and get it on film for us.

I wonder if that would be on youtube anywhere hmmm I must have a look


**Update** There's a few films of it here

[eefanincan]

Looks cool!