NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Thousands of participants took to the streets of Downtown New Orleans on Saturday (July 11) for the 20th edition of San Fermin in Nueva Orleans.
“I don’t live too far away, so it’s nice to walk, finish, and then crawl home. For the last 20 years they’ve had it, it’s been wonderful,” five-time participant Joe Marsiglia said.
The annual summer event is New Orleans’ version of Spain’s traditional “Running of the Bulls” and draws droves of repeat runners.
The difference is that few people in New Orleans actually run the short course that begins and ends at Gallier Hall, because a walking pace better protects beverages from spilling. And the “bulls” pursuing the alleged runners actually are roller derby players on skates, giving (usually) playful whacks on backsides with plastic bats.
“It’s the comradery of roller derby, something I’ve always wanted to do,” first time ‘bull’ Stephanie Greenblatt told Fox 8. “My whole league is here, and I wanted to see what the hype is about!”
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So while far less hazardous than running from actual horned bulls in Pamplona, the New Orleans event does serve a charitable purpose.
In addition to helping local businesses by drawing thousands to the area for a party on an otherwise steamy summer day, Nola Bulls LLC also partners with Beth’s Friends Forever to raise money for women fighting cancer in the Greater New Orleans area.
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