SANTA FE, N.M. — Two of the most well-known traditions New Mexico is known for are coming together in one balloon later this year.

The Santa Fe City Council voted 8-1 earlier this year to approve $125,000 for a Zozobra balloon to fly in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The 2013 Zozobra inspired this 135-foot-tall balloon that captures the shape of the full body of Zozobra. They chose the 2013 style because it’s a contemporary, yet authentic, capture of Old Man Gloom. Crews crafted it for 10 months in Bristol, England, before its first display Friday.

“It was only because of New Mexico. It was only because of these places that that somebody with the inspiration and the creative ambition to do this could do it. That’s what I feel. I feel like the state made me, it prepared me for this,” said Bryce Risley, the Zozobra balloon project chair.

2024 is a big year for Old Man Gloom, marking 100 years of the “Burning of Zozobra,” so Risley said flying this balloon was a perfect way to celebrate.

Many consider Balloon Fiesta “the most photographed event in the world.” The idea behind the Zozobra balloon is to not only highlight a unique state tradition but also to boost tourism in Santa Fe.

“Impressions a day from Balloon Fiesta is what is on social media. By having this special shape 130-foot Zozobra that doesn’t look like anything else, not the Creamland cow, not a teardrop, not Darth Vader, is going to help put our city and expand tourism for our city,” Sandoval said.

The balloon costs $300,000 overall so the City of Albuquerque and the Kiwanis Club will cover the remaining $175,000.