Burner him: City of Albuquerque, Santa Fe collaborate on Zozobra special shape balloon

Once a year, Albuquerque and Santa Fe get the international spotlight shone on their signature events — Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and Will Shuster’s Burning of Zozobra.

Each one brings tourists to the state — both having significant economic impact.

About two years ago, the two entities decided to collaborate.

On Monday, city officials from Albuquerque and Santa Fe were at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum to unveil a Zozobra-shaped hot air balloon.

“This is a project that brings together two of our amazing and beautiful traditions in New Mexico,” said Shelle Sanchez, city of Albuquerque Arts and Culture Department director. “I’m excited that our department and our city has really stepped into this kind of unusual partnership to bring some real fun to the skies, not only in Albuquerque and New Mexico, but around the world.”

The Zozobra special shape balloon will greatly cast a shadow on the 50-foot tall marionette that is burned in effigy at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe each year. The balloon will be finished in time for the 100th burning of Zozobra.

The balloon will be 135 feet tall and weigh 730 pounds. The envelope width will be 66 feet.

Ray Sandoval, Zozobra chair, said the cost of the special shape is $300,000. The funding came from the city of Santa Fe’s Lodger’s Tax as well as the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts and Culture.

In December, the Santa Fe City Council approved a budget adjustment for Tourism Santa Fe, which included $125,000 for the Zozobra balloon.

The city of Albuquerque will contribute $150,000, and the Kiwanis Club the remaining $25,000.

The balloon is being constructed by Cameron Balloons.

The special shape balloon design is inspired by the 2013 iteration of Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, which featured green hair and green around the eyes.

On the front of the balloon will be a logo for Tourism Santa Fe. The back will be adorned with One Albuquerque and underneath will say “Burn Him!”

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said collaborating with the city of Santa Fe is a great way to streamline tourism efforts.

He said both cities rely on tourists visiting each city when these events come around.

“(These events) are actually only about six weeks apart in our community,” Keller said. “Now we get to celebrate in both locations with this wonderful (balloon).”

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber said the collaboration is a great partnership because it blends the best of New Mexico within this “flying exhibit.”

“It’s the perfect embodiment of our two communities,” Webber said. “I think it’s not only going to wow our communities. I think it will be a national phenomenon. I think people are going to want to see this all over the country.”

Webber said the balloon is already scheduled at eight events in addition to Burning of Zozobra and Balloon Fiesta.

Sandoval said with the size of the Zozobra balloon, weather conditions would have to be perfect for it to fly — much like the Wells Fargo Stagecoach and Airabelle the Cow balloons.

“There would also be a first-year maintenance cost of around $50,000, and that price would decrease each year,” Sandoval said. “The balloon can last from 10 to 15 years.”

20+ pictures of Zozobra through the years