Ray Sandoval

Ray Sandoval, organizer of the Burning of Zozobra festival, shares the magic behind Santa Fe's unique tradition. He describes the creation of a giant, 50-foot marionette stuffed with community-submitted worries, known as 'glooms.' The festival serves as a cathartic ritual where 50,000 attendees burn Zozobra to release their anxieties. Ray recounts its evolution from a backyard event in the 1920s to a grand spectacle featuring fireworks and performances. Learn how the festival embodies a profound duality: confronting gloom while celebrating community spirit.