On the Friday before Labor Day each year, Santa Fe residents
watch as their sadness and gloom go up in flames. Traditionally,
burning Zozobra allows gloom and sadness to be dispelled so the
fiesta can begin. The 50-foot-tall, white-clad, dreadful faced
marionette is mounted high above Fort Marcy Park. His growls
turn to agonizing screams as the Fire Spirit dances and throws
flames at Zozobra’s feet. He begins to scream violently as he is
set on fire and begins to burn. Fireworks burst forth from
within the marionette, burning him completely and he crashes to
the ground.
The crowd cheers as the
monster representing their sorrows explodes before crumpling to
the ground in defeat. Setting this massive marionette aflame
rids Santa Fe of doom and gloom for another year.