A smaller-than-normal crowd — due to rising rates of coronavirus cases in the state and increased precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — cheered late Friday night as Old Man Gloom was vanquished once again during the 97th burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
With a flashing of the eyes and a puff of pyrotechnics, Old Man Gloom starts to burn Friday night during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
The weather resisted the temptation to drench the long-standing celebration, quelling fears that the in-person event, following a fully virtual burning in 2020, would be a wet one.
But the weather played ball at Fort Marcy Ballpark.
Following a festive 1980s-themed celebration that included live music, food and a performance featuring zombies and Ghostbusters, revelers watched as the massive marionette erupted in a spectacle of flames and fireworks, burning away the ills of the past year.
“Our community loves Zozobra. I mean, look at this,” event organizer Ray Sandoval said while pointing to a packed outfield at the ballpark.
As part of a 10-year tribute to the decades leading up to the tradition’s 100th celebration in 2024, the event was all about the 1980s. Revelers boogied to ‘80s music, and some members of the crowd dressed up as their favorite musicians and figures from the decade.
Even Old Man Gloom got in on the fun, towering over the crowd in his best Michael Jackson Thriller jacket before tumbling to the ground in a spectacle of flames and fireworks.
Zozobra’s ultimate demise to chants of “Burn him” was one of the only normal aspects of this year’s event.
Due to a spike in coronavirus cases amid spread of the highly contagious delta variant, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, which puts on the annual show, made a decision to limit ticket sales to 10,000. With kids included, the organization estimated it would have about 13,500 attendees. That compares with crowds estimated at more than 60,000 in recent pre-pandemic years.
Bob Clifford, dressed as Beetlejuice, awaits the burning of Zozobra on Friday night.
Kids under 10 were allowed in free.
Attendees and vendors also were asked to provide proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test from within three days of the event.
Sandoval said there wasn’t any substantial pushback on the policy, but the Kiwanis Club did have to issue about 60 refunds to people who either were concerned about the surging COVID-19 rates or asked for refunds for political reasons.
Dancers with the New Mexico Ballet Comapany perform to Michael Jackson's Thriller on Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
He said he wouldn’t call Friday night’s burning a success until the organization made sure the event did not lead to a spike in positive tests.
“We hope we did the right things. We hope we did the right things by the science,” Sandoval said. “But we need to be open to make sure we are not patting ourselves on the back tonight.”
Still, the event was far more in line with the traditional affair than last year, when it was forced to go fully virtual.
Among the glooms waiting to be burned with Zozobra on Friday was a wedding dress.
The decision rubbed 75-year-old Sylvia Johnson of Regina the wrong way. Johnson, who said she has attended at least 70 burnings of Zozobra, a tradition started by artist Will Shuster, went to Friday’s event with two Old Man Gloom miniatures created by her and her sister, 70-year-old Pita Martinez.
“I watched it on TV,” Johnson said of last year’s event. “But it just wasn’t the same.”
The 2021 event was still televised — this year on KOAT-TV.
The theme was a perfect fit for Joaquin Romero, a 34-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator from Santa Fe who attended in his best Michael Jackson costume.
Romero said he used to come to the burning all the time as a child and teenager, but this was his son Julian Romero’s first time.
“We were actually supposed to go last year,” Joaquin Romero said. “At least we were able to come this year.”
Joaquin Romero, a Michael Jackson impersonator from Santa Fe, dances before Zozobra burns on Friday evening.
Patsy Sanchez, 57, of Las Cruces dressed in a Purple Rain-inspired costume and attended with her friend — for the first time. She said she loved the reasons for the burning.
“I think it’s pretty awesome,” Sanchez said. “It should make people feel good. It’s something to look forward to once a year.”
Adam Cordova, 46 of Colorado Springs, Colo., who attended with his wife, Andrea Cordova, 44, said he had been reading about the tradition.
“Getting rid of your glooms?” Adam Cordova said. “I just wanted to see what it was all about.”
He said the prospect of rain didn’t concern him or his wife at all.
“If it rains, it rains. That’s all it is. We will get a shower,” Adam Cordova said with a chuckle.
A visible law enforcement presence, including members of the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Fe Police Department, likely deterred any major incidents.
Santa Fe police Chief Andrew Padilla said there were no major dust-ups or issues with the ticketing booths.
Burning of Zozobra 2021
Adan Gallegos takes a break Friday morning, leaning against the giant marionette as volunteers with Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe assemble Zozobra in preparation for the burning.
Volunteers with Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe assemble Zozobra on Friday morning in preparation for the burning of Old Man Gloom at Fort Marcy.
Manny Madril hooks up the mechanism for controlling the giant marionette as volunteers with Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe assemble Zozobra on Friday morning.
Eric Griego cuts protective plastic wrap off Zozobra's hands as volunteers with Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe assemble the giant marionette Friday morning.
Among the glooms waiting to be burned with Zozobra on Friday was a wedding dress.
Joaquin Romero, a Michael Jackson impersonator from Santa Fe, dances before Zozobra burns on Friday evening.
Stephanie Davis holds her son Knox Chuculate on Friday as she writes out her glooms for the year during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Sylvia Johnson spreads out her long skirt featuring Zozobra that was made nearly 20 years ago.
From left, ’80s fans Lindsey Harward Danin Harward, Michelle Nied and Jaye Torre dance to tunes from their favorite decade during the burning of Zozobra.
Victor Franco Jr., 3, and his sister Azalea Franco, 9, chow down on bubbles during the annual burning of Zozobra on Friday at Fort Marcy park.
Bob Clifford, dressed as Beetlejuice, awaits the burning of Zozobra on Friday night.
Dancers from the New Mexico Ballet Company dance before the burning of Zozobra on Friday night.
With a flashing of the eyes and a puff of pyrotechnics, Old Man Gloom starts to burn Friday night during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Fans react as Old Man Gloom starts to burn Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Zozobra peers out behind clouds of smoke during the 97th annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park on Friday night.
The 97th annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park on Friday night. Zozobra donned a red jacket and sickly green skin to reference Michael Jackson’s Thriller for this year's 1980s-themed celebration.
A firedancer takes the stage in the final act before Old Man Gloom starts to burn during the annual Burning of Zozobra on Friday.
Dancers with the New Mexico Ballet Comapany perform to Michael Jackson's Thriller on Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Dancers with the New Mexico Ballet Comapany perform to Michael Jackson's Thriller on Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Fireworks illuminate the night sky Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
The 97th annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park on Friday night.
Old Man Gloom starts to catch fire Friday during the annual burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park.
Thousands gathered at Santa Fe's Ft. Marcy Park to watch the burning of Old Man Gloom. Crowds were smaller in 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. Video has no sound. Video by New Mexico Cine Drone.
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Zozobra burns in Santa Fe for the 97th time - Santa Fe New Mexican
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