August 29, 2014: Zozobra Festival, Santa Fe, New Mexico with Eric, Sarah & Kevin

all images copyright Casondra Sobieralski

I went to Santa Fe over Labor Day weekend to visit friends I made while guest teaching in New Mexico, 2012-2013.  I arrived just in time for the annual ZOZOBRA FESTIVAL!

The festival is like Santa Fe's Burning Man in that they burn an 80-foot effigy.  But unlike Burning Man, this festival is rooted in Mexican-Catholic tradition.  The effigy is stuffed with miseries that people write on paper.   That's a lot of miseries!  The statue roars and moves it's arms for a good half hour.  There are performances and fireworks, and they burn the sucker to the ground, releasing the miseries.  

It is supposed to be a family event, but we were all scared of the giant puppet! 

I am very happy with some of the more painterly fireworks photos I achieved below.  Like I felt technical competence I didn't realize I had obtained.  ;)

Eric Above. Eric, me and Sarah below.  --two of my Santa Fe Striders running buddies!  Feel the LUV!

My favorite 4 photos of the batch! (below)