Alamogordo’s Burning of the Bull Celebrated it 7th Year of Community Renewal Through Fire and Celebration Saturday Night

Alamogordo, NM — October 18, 2025 Hundreds of residents gathered at the Otero County Fairgrounds Saturday night for the 7th Annual Burning of the Bull, a fiery celebration of community, catharsis, and cultural pride. Hosted by the Otero County Fair & Rodeo Association, the event has grown into one of Alamogordo’s most fun fall traditions since its inception in 2018.

The evening featured live music, including a headlining performance by the Justin Kemp Band, alongside food trucks, folkloric dancers, a car show, piñatas, beach ball tosses, and a beer garden. But the emotional centerpiece was the ceremonial burning of the bull effigy—a towering sculpture set ablaze to symbolize the release of the year’s burdens, stress, and negativity.

“This is about letting go,” said one organizer. “We burn the bull to burn away the bad and make space for the good.”

Inspired by similar traditions like Santa Fe’s Zozobra, Alamogordo’s version is uniquely local—blending rodeo culture, Hispanic heritage, and community storytelling. The Otero County Fair & Rodeo Association launched the event in 2018 to create a space for unity and reflection, and it has since become a signature moment in the city’s fall cultural calendar.

The event also serves as a platform for local businesses, artists, and civic groups to connect with the public. Families, elected officials, and visitors from across Otero County attended this year’s celebration, reinforcing its role as a unifying force in the region.

Sources:

Otero County Fair & Rodeo Association

Visit Alamogordo – Burning of the Bull

Eventbrite – 7th Annual Burning of the Bull

2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org 

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