San Fermin: A NOLA Running of the Bulls

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Clear your weekend for this gem of a festival—San Fermin in Nueva Orleans. The popular fiesta is modeled after the San Fermí­n festival and its running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. But releasing raging bulls through the streets of the French Quarter would be copying, so local organizers went for bat-wielding roller derby girls instead. Resplendent in horned helmets and armed with wiffle ball bats, the Big Easy Rollergirls unleash their fury on any slow-moving stragglers (and yes, we're speaking from experience.) Friday features El Txupinazo, the pre-party, with and open bar, live music, and cuisine from area restaurants. Saturday is the big day, when El Encierro, or bull run, begins promptly at 8 am (with a 7:15 am Procession of San Fermin before). Join thousands of runners as they pour through the French Quarter with hundreds of Roller Bulls in hot pursuit. Runners are required to wear a white shirt, white shorts or pants, and a piece of red cloth about the neck and waist. After a frenzied morning and time to rest in the afternoon, the festival continues on Saturday evening with La Fiesta de Pantalones. Be sure to come dressed Pamplonese-style: white shirt and bottom, and something red at the waist and neck, but feel free to be creative beyond that! Nurse aching legs and heads at Sunday's El Pobre de Mí­ (Poor Me). Enjoy a savory tapas brunch and specialty drinks as well as the annual Ernest Hemingway Celebration and Talent Contest, an afternoon of Hemingway-themed daring, drama, dress-up, and laughter. nolabulls.com to register (required), see the rules, and discover all the details, including special rates from area hotels.