The annual Burning of Zozobra is a summer tradition like no other, with tens of thousands of locals and visitors crowding into Fort Marcy park to watch their gloom go up in smoke.
Zozobra, circa 1950s.
Natt N. Dodge, Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 106728
Burning of Zozobra during Fiesta, circa 1945.
Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 047328
Zozobra, circa 1938.
Harold Humes, Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 150441
Burning Zozobra during Fiesta, circa 1940.
John Candelario, Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 189151
Zozobra under construction in 1963 with artist Will Shuster at right.
Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 029551
Zozobra in 1948.
Robert H. Martin, Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 041302
Will Shuster and Zozobra in 1942.
Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA) Negative No. 027852
Zozobra ignites in an undated photo.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra in progress in an undated photo.
New Mexican archive photo
Mariachis entertain the crowd before the burning in 1980.
New Mexican archive photo
Members of the Fiesta court in front of Zozobra in 1986.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra ablaze in 1981.
New Mexican archive photo
A family awaits the burn in an undated photo.
New Mexican archive photo
The crowd gathers at Fort Marcy park before the 1985 burning.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra with a halo of fire in 1985.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra on the move in 1983.
New Mexican archive photo
"Gloomies" perform at Zozobra in 1986.
New Mexican archive photo
The fire dancer and Zozobra in 1987.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra can be seen at Fort Marcy park during sunset in 2002.Â
New Mexican archive photo
Fire dancer Chip Lilienthal, front, practices with his son and daughter in 1988.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra gets a ride to Fort Marcy park in 1987.
New Mexican archive photo
Fire dancer Helene Luna looks up at Zozobra while practicing in 2020.
Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
From left, Erin Quintana and Emily Dellheim, members of the St. Michael's Pony Express Drill Team wait to dance in front of Zozobra in 2002.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra waits to be assembled in 2001.
Zozobra burns in 2005.
New Mexican archive photo
Fire dancers entertain the crowd before the 79th Burning of Zozobra in 2003.
New Mexican archive photo
With the beginning of the fireworks, the crowd at Fort Marcy park prepares for the burning in 2004.Â
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra burning in 1999.
New Mexican archive photo
Ray Valdez places Zozobra's eyes on the marionette's head in 2007.
RAMSAY DE GIVE
Waiting at Fort Marcy park for Zozobra to burn in 2005.
New Mexican archive photo
Kids wait out the rain before Zozobra begins to burn in 2006.
New Mexican archive photo
Savannah Bolleter helps construct Zozobra in 2006.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra's eyes light up in 2006.
New Mexican archive photo
Bob Clifford, dressed as Beetlejuice, awaits the burning of Zozobra in 2021.Â
Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe assemble Zozobra in 2021.
Zozobra attendees dance in 2015 at Fort Marcy park.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra in 2011.Â
New Mexican archive photo
Old Man Gloom burns in 2007.
New Mexican archive photo
Zozobra fans get pumped for the 2017 burning.Â
Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
With a flashing of the eyes and a puff of pyrotechnics, Old Man Gloom starts to burn in 2021.Â
Jim Weber/New Mexican file photo
Crews work on setting up Zozobra in 2019.Â
Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
Zozobra burns in 2011.Â
New Mexican archive photo
The annual Burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park in 2017.Â
Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
Old Man Gloom awaits his fate at a soggy Fort Marcy Ballpark during the 94th burning of Zozobra in 2018.
New Mexican file photo
Fans react as Old Man Gloom starts to burn and the fireworks go wild during the annual Burning of Zozobra in 2021.Â