Dodge Bulls, Not Potholes
The 17th annual New Orleans Bull Run, San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, will take place on July 12 to 14. The weekend features an adrenaline-pumping race, pre-parties, after-parties, and more parties! Head Downtown to watch friends and foes alike honor the ancient Spanish tradition and dodge some "bulls."
The Running of the Bulls
Running of the bulls is an esteemed Spanish tradition, also named el Encierro de Paplonia, where runners dressed in white with red sashes run through the streets of the city of Pamplona from a small group of bulls. While you may not be able to book a flight to Spain, luckily, New Orleans offers a far more devilish, far more New Orleanian, take on the famed event.
Stemming from an inebriated stroke of genius during Mardi Gras in 2001, the San Fermin bull run has become an annual celebration. New Orleans hosts this event every July, bringing a bit of satire to the holy event. Overseas, the tradition honors Saint Fermin, a holy man and martyr who is honored in the nine-day celebration. Here, in place of bulls, roller skate girls yielding plastic bats take on Downtown, with horns on their helmets and a true bullish fire in their souls. The roller girls hunt down the runners to smack them with their plastic bats, a far less dangerous fate than encountering a bull itself.
The founders, Jason Bargas and Manny Hanning, have created an incredibly enticing festival revolving around the playful bull run. Friday night's event offers drinks, food, and camaraderie with free entry. On Saturday, the run commences, with yet another free sign-up. The event boasts live music, food, and parties, with street celebrations before and after the run. Sunday brings a final celebration for the licking of your wounds, El Pobre de Mi.
The
festivities will take place at the Gallier Hall, while the run will cover much
of the Central Business District and Downtown. Before, after, and during, expect great fun and festivities at bars along the route, so grab a drink and watch. If you dare, grab a drink and run.
On Friday, El Txupinazo will serve as
a fundraiser for Beth's Friends Forever, a local charity for women fighting
cancer in the Greater New Orleans area. The celebration of food, drink, music, and charity will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Running of the Bulls
will begin on Saturday at 8 a.m. sharp, with a pre-party beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Gallier Hall. The close of the event will begin
on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 2:30 p.m., an after-party that runners and supporters alike cannot miss.
Even the Bulls Second-Line
While
running is free for all who dare, admission to the Gallier Hall parties requires
a ticket, so head to San Fermin in Nueva Orleans for ticket and information needs. Enjoy a weekend full of festivities, food, drinks, and a bit of cardio by running through the streets of New Orleans from July 12 to 14.
