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.
Burning of Zozobra during Fiesta, circa 1945.
Zozobra, circa 1938.
Burning Zozobra during Fiesta, circa 1940.
Zozobra under construction in 1963 with artist Will Shuster at right.
Zozobra in 1948.
Will Shuster and Zozobra in 1942.
Zozobra ignites in an undated photo.
Zozobra in progress in an undated photo.
Mariachis entertain the crowd before the burning in 1980.
Members of the Fiesta court in front of Zozobra in 1986.
Zozobra ablaze in 1981.
A family awaits the burn in an undated photo.
The crowd gathers at Fort Marcy park before the 1985 burning.
Zozobra with a halo of fire in 1985.
Zozobra on the move in 1983.
"Gloomies" perform at Zozobra in 1986.
The fire dancer and Zozobra in 1987.
Zozobra can be seen at Fort Marcy park during sunset in 2002.Â
Fire dancer Chip Lilienthal, front, practices with his son and daughter in 1988.
Zozobra gets a ride to Fort Marcy park in 1987.
Fire dancer Helene Luna looks up at Zozobra while practicing in 2020.
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.
Zozobra waits to be assembled in 2001.
Zozobra burns in 2005.
Fire dancers entertain the crowd before the 79th Burning of Zozobra in 2003.
With the beginning of the fireworks, the crowd at Fort Marcy park prepares for the burning in 2004.Â
Zozobra burning in 1999.
Ray Valdez places Zozobra's eyes on the marionette's head in 2007.
Waiting at Fort Marcy park for Zozobra to burn in 2005.
Kids wait out the rain before Zozobra begins to burn in 2006.
Savannah Bolleter helps construct Zozobra in 2006.
Zozobra's eyes light up in 2006.
Bob Clifford, dressed as Beetlejuice, awaits the burning of Zozobra in 2021.Â
Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe assemble Zozobra in 2021.
Zozobra attendees dance in 2015 at Fort Marcy park.
Zozobra in 2011.Â
Old Man Gloom burns in 2007.
Zozobra fans get pumped for the 2017 burning.Â
With a flashing of the eyes and a puff of pyrotechnics, Old Man Gloom starts to burn in 2021.Â
Crews work on setting up Zozobra in 2019.Â
Zozobra burns in 2011.Â
The annual Burning of Zozobra at Fort Marcy park in 2017.Â
Old Man Gloom awaits his fate at a soggy Fort Marcy Ballpark during the 94th burning of Zozobra in 2018.
Fans react as Old Man Gloom starts to burn and the fireworks go wild during the annual Burning of Zozobra in 2021.Â