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The Bulls are Back in New Orleans

12:00 July 12, 2023
By: Staff

In addition to all the cultural celebrations and festivities New Orleans celebrates, none can get more interesting than the Running of the Bulls event happening this summer. Now if you are a world-traveler or have heard of this event before, you know it originates in Pamplona, Spain and is held every July. Knowing this, how did it come to New Orleans? Did the city get actual bulls to run freely throughout the French Quarter? Before these questions are answered, let's first look at the history of this tradition in Pamplona and how it comes to entertain New Orleans residents.

Running of the Bulls 2023

History of the Original Running with the Bulls

The Pamplona bull run is one of the most famous bull-runs or encierros in the world. This bull-run is so popular, it has been broadcast on the national Spanish television channel for over 30 years. The bulls run to celebrate the festival of Sanfermines, a festival to honor Saint Fermin, a legendary holy man and martyr. Before the bulls begin to run, a prayer is sang three times in Spanish and Basque to the statue of Saint Fermin. The prayer in English translates to "We ask Saint Fermin, as our Patron, to guide us through the encierro and give us his blessing."

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The run then starts with six or more bulls running in different sectioned-off parts of the city. The run overall is intended to instill courage and remembrance for festival goers and visitors alike. If you are over 18 you can actually run alongside the bulls as long as you are not inciting the bulls or under the influence of alcohol. Lastly, if visitors stay at the festival after the running of the bulls, they can also see bull fights held in the later afternoons.

San Fermin Festival in New Orleans

This year, San Fermin in Neuva Orleans is back with so much fun and activities to offer. With a continuous festival from July 14 to 16, New Orleans creates their own version of the famous Pamplona festival right in the heart of the city. All of the weekend's e-bull-ient activities will take place in or around The Howlin' Wolf Music Venue at 907 S. Peters St.

Starting on July 14, the festival begins with El Txupinazo, a nighttime event filled with live music, food, drinks, and a live auction. Don't miss New Orleans-based Jaleo Flamenco, filling The Howlin' Wolf with traditional Flamenco dance and music. Then, two-time Grammy nominee Cha Wa, a Mardi Gras Indian funk band, will take the stage. El Txupinazo will rock The Howlin' Wolf from 5p p.m. to 9 p.m.

The live auction awards one lucky winner a lifetime VIP pass of membership to the San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO) organization. Additionally, any proceeds from the auction go to Beth's Friends Forever, a nonprofit helping women in New Orleans battling cancer.

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Bulls Run Wild in New Orleans

Finally on July 15, the bulls are let loose from The Howlin' Wolf. The bulls for this event begin running at 6:30 a.m., but they are not the type of bulls you might expect. These bulls are the RollerBulls, New Orleans' own roller derby skaters donning horned helmets and wacking participants with plastic bats if they get too close. While the bulls run, or skate, visitors can enjoy live music, beer, sangria, and food trucks on site. The running of the RollerBulls and a special procession of Saint Fermin last till about 12:00 p.m.

Celebrate escaping the RollerBulls, or heal your wounds from their plastic bats, at the finish line at the The Howlin' Wolf. This post-run fiesta includes performances from New Orleans DJ Warm Advice, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, and rap-cabaret artist Boyfriend.

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Finish Line for the Running of the Bulls Fest

Finish your three-day festival celebration on July 16 with Pobre de Mi. This event is a 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Burlesque Brunch at Barcadia at 601 Tchoupitoulas St. Recover from the action-packed festivities with Roxie le Rouge's Big Deal Burlesque while taking your last sips of sangria for the weekend.

With each day of this festival, have loads of fun and support a great cause. As mentioned earlier, all proceeds for this event go to Beth's Friend Forever.

Let the Good Times Rollerblade

This organization helps women in your community with cancer get the proper care they need. So maybe if you are not into the whole party or bull scene, you can at least help a great cause in small ways! The last thing to remember when attending this event is to watch out for those RollerBulls—they will get you if you're not careful.

Hope to see you there! For more information access the SFNO's website, where you can also buy tickets for this event ranging from $15 to $100.

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