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Shining bright: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe at the helm of New Year's Eve celebration in Santa Fe for 9th time
To say Ray Sandoval is busy is an understatement.
As the event chair for the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, Sandoval is at the helm of the organization’s events.
He goes from working on Zozobra to Día de los Muertos to planning the New Year’s Eve event on the plaza.
“Planning for New Year’s Eve is like my childhood tea parties,” he says. “It’s about putting everything together that I love.”
This year’s event will mark the 9th time that the zia symbol will rise at midnight from the rooftop of La Fonda on the Plaza.
“We work towards making it one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country,” he says.
The festivities kick off on the Plaza at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
There will be music by Alex Maryol, Sol Fire and Felix y Los Gatos.
“We’ll also have free biscochitos and hot chocolate for free while supplies last,” Sandoval says. “We will also have luminarias, or bonfires, lighting the way around the plaza.”
Shining bright: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe at the helm of New Year's Eve celebration in Santa Fe for 9th time
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At 11:45 p.m. Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber will introduce the countdown.
At the stroke of midnight the Zia will rise above the city with fireworks to follow.
Sandoval says the team is always looking for the best in technology when it comes to the fireworks used.
“We’re surrounded by historic buildings that are priceless,” he says. “We’re going to use close proximity fireworks because they burn at a lower temperature. We’ll also be playing the Goo Goo Doll’s ‘Better Days’ for the celebration. Of course, in New Mexico tradition, we will sing ‘La Mananitas’ to ring in the new year.”
Santa Fean Lillian Dutton was selected to sing the national anthem at the New Year’s Eve, Sandoval says.
