The Zozobra puppet only showed up for one day out of 365. Each year on the Friday before Labor Day, tens of thousands of people gather at Fort Marcy Park to watch a 50 foot marionette called Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, burn to the ground.
For the centennial burning in 2024, a noncombustible, permanent Zozobra was made. The Zozobra statue is made of steel and stands 18 feet tall.
The Zozobra statue
The Zozobra Statue is listed on South Federal Place, Santa Fe. Artist Don Kennell, with his wife Lisa Adler and their sculptural team, created the statue for the centennial burning in 2024.
Don Kennell, Lisa Adler and their team referenced countless images of the puppet taken over the years to create a Zozobra that could have been built by Will Shuster himself.
The statue wears a bow tie, a dress shirt and a white gown. His hands are skeletal, his face is shrunken, and his bulging eyes are ringed with circles of sleeplessness. His ears look like bat wings, and touches of green paint suggest blight and decay.
The arms have a counterweight system, so they are designed to wave in the wind. The statue also has glass eyes and openings in the face with a color changing LED inside.
A plaque at the base of the statue is dated August 14, 2024. The plaque dedicates the statue to the 100th Burning of Zozobra. It credits the artistry of sculptor Don Kennell and augmented reality work by Refract AR. The plaque thanks the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe for its dedication to preserving the tradition. The plaque hopes the statue keeps Zozobra burning brightly for the next hundred years.
Where Old Man Gloom came from
Will Shuster moved to Santa Fe and became part of Los Cinco Pintores, the five painters. Los Cinco Pintores were a group of artists partly responsible for Santa Fe's growth into an art colony. Some locals called them five nuts in a hut.
On Christmas Eve of 1923, Shuster sold a painting he had been working on for five months. He treated his friends to dinner at the newly opened La Fonda. His friends were in a gloomy mood. So Shuster gave each friend a piece of paper, asked them to write down what was bothering them, and lit the papers with the candle on the table. They all got kicked out of the restaurant and ended up laughing together on the curb.
This was the beginning of the idea of symbolically burning away what is weighing you down. According to Shuster, zozobra meant anxiety in Spanish.
Shuster built the first Zozobra in 1924, a six foot effigy that burned in his backyard at a party for Los Cinco Pintores and their circle. The 1924 Zozobra puppet was human size, and as the event grew, Zozobra's scale increased. The Burning of Zozobra tradition started in 1924 and has taken place every year since.
People write their troubles on pieces of paper and stuff them into the puppet. Then the puppet is set on fire, giving a fresh start for the upcoming year. People can submit their worries to the Zozobra Gloom Box to burn in Zozobra. Santa Feans are preparing for the 102nd Burning of Zozobra.
Hotel Chimayó on Washington Avenue
Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe is at 125 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. Hotel Chimayó is nestled in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, just steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza.
Inspired by more than 400 years of artistic tradition, Hotel Chimayó welcomes guests by celebrating the history of the Village of Chimayo. Hotel Chimayó is part of Heritage Hotels and Resorts, a New Mexico based company established in 2005 to develop culturally distinct hotels and resorts.
Hotel Chimayó has 56 spacious and inviting boutique guest rooms and suites. Hotel Chimayó features the largest suites in Santa Fe, many with connecting rooms perfect for large families. Many suites feature cozy wood burning fireplaces and private balconies overlooking the courtyard.
Low 'n Slow featuring Hawt Pizza
Low 'n Slow is at Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe, 125 Washington Ave, Santa Fe. Low 'n Slow is a unique hotel bar, the ideal spot for relaxing with a beverage and enjoying Hawt Pizza.
The distinctive lowrider style at Low 'n Slow is evident in the diamond tuck upholstered seats, hubcaps and creative photos. Tables made of chromed chain link steering wheels decorate both the outdoor patio and indoor dining area. Low 'n Slow offers specialty cocktails crafted by professional mixologists for a car themed experience.
Low 'n Slow hours are Monday to Thursday 3pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 1pm to 10pm, and Sunday 1pm to 9pm. Hawt Pizza hours are Monday to Thursday 5pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 1pm to 10pm, and Sunday 1pm to 8pm. Low 'n Slow and Hawt Pizza orders: (505) 216-1066.
El Rincón Café
For locally sourced cuisine, Hotel Chimayó has El Rincón Café, inspired by the flavors and traditions of northern New Mexico. At El Rincón Café, food is freshly prepared using ingredients from local farmers, served in an uncomplicated manner.
One of the most popular appetizers at El Rincón Café is the Chile Relleno. It is a fresh green chile filled with mushrooms and served with a delicate demi glace chile sauce, pinto beans and fresh garlic. The Chile Relleno has no frying and no breading, which lets you taste the full flavor of the chile.
Plan the walk
The Zozobra Statue is listed on South Federal Place, Santa Fe. Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe is at 125 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. Low 'n Slow opens at 3pm Monday to Thursday and at 1pm Friday to Sunday. Hotel Chimayó phone: 505-988-4900. Reservations: 1-855-752-9273.