Turning 21, party time for Running of the Bull

For Running of the Bull co-founder Michael McDonnell, last year's 20th anniversary run in Dewey Beach was all about nostalgia.

About two-thirds of the original 35 people who participated in 1996 returned for what is arguably the state's most ridiculous event: two people in a bull costume chasing participants down the coastline before ending with a bullfight in The Starboard parking lot.

Since some had not been back to Dewey Beach in years and had not been following the event's growth, he watched as they marveled at the crowd of several thousand.

It was a big anniversary and the Bethesda, Maryland-based corporate attorney felt old as he chatted with friends that he hadn't seen for years.

But this year, the 21st Running of the Bull, set to start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, will put it even more in perspective. And since this is Dewey Beach, of course it revolves around the bull celebrating his 21st birthday, meaning the bull could legally drink if it were, you know, a person.

"The idea that there will be people at this one who were born the first year we did it and can now legally drink in the bar just freaks me out," says McDonnell, 47.  "I'm going to be looking out at faces that were drooling on their bibs when we started this."

This year's Running of the Bull is being held two weeks earlier than the past for a pair of reasons: to help fill the town in June since July certainly doesn't need much help and to cut down on traffic delays caused by the hijinks.

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After years of running on the weekend after the Fourth of July to coincide with Pamplona's famed Running of the Bulls, the change has another benefit, at least this year. After sweating it out on a humid day with a high temperature pushing 90 last year, this year's forecast is calling for a more comfortable high of 80.

In terms of the traffic, the backups aren't necessarily created by a Del. 1 closure -- the group crosses the highway in about three minutes during an extended red light under the watchful eyes of police, who are on hand to ensure a quick road crossing. Instead, it's rubbernecking at the spectacle that causes those brake lights to glow.

And while there will likely be fewer cars on the road this weekend than the weekend of July 8, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be smooth sailing through Dewey Beach Saturday afternoon.

"It's all about traffic volume. This weekend you're still going to have beach traffic, so there will be some delay," says Delaware Department of Transportation operations manager Gene Donaldson, who helps coordinate the traffic signals for the event, including extending the green lights after the group crosses to help alleviate congestion.

DelDOT has also sent out alerts, warning drivers about the expected delays.

Jane Reed of Ashburn, Virginia, was one of the original bandana-wearing Running of the Bull participants in 1996 and returned last year to Dewey Beach for the first time in 15 years to attend the anniversary. A year later, she's still nearly speechless about how it has grown.

"It was shocking," Reed says. "It was crazy, too, because the whole town was in on it."

As part of the ceremony, Reed and the other original runners climbed atop the outdoor stage to be recognized. When she looked down at the Starboard parking lot, the absurdity of the moment hit her.

 "I was thinking, 'I'm a 45-year-old woman and I'm standing up here in front of all these 20-somethings," she says, laughing at the memory.

This year's event may officially start at 2 p.m., but just like in years past, you have to arrive early if you want to get inside the bar. (McDonnell suggest being there by 11:30 a.m.)

A Running of the Bull for children will also be held, starting at 10:30 a.m. on the beach at Dagsworthy Street. It is there where kids will find a DJ dance party with games and toys before the bull makes a visit.

Now that McDonnell and his wife, Kathleen, have two children -- Jack, 8, and Maeve, 6 -- they added the pint-sized run a few years ago.

Like last year, there will be a flyover of several World War II-era aircraft, weather-permitting. Steve "Monty" Montgomery, co-owner of The Starboard, has also hired a group of USO singers to sing "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful" as Independence Day approaches.

Montgomery was a bartender at The Starboard 21 years ago for the first Running of the Bull.

"They were regulars and we just thought it was funny. Nobody could have predicted it would turn into something like this. I just shake my head and smile," he says. "I'm a big fan – especially at The Starboard – of the sillier the better. Dewey is a very professional town, meaning the people who come here are professionals and they're also professional partiers."

And when it comes to the 21st birthday for the bull, don't expect to see a boozy bovine trying to consume 21 shots or anything like that. But if he tried, he'd be better off than the rest of us.

"Thank God there's two people in there. They could split them," Montgomery jokes.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

IF YOU GO

What: Running of the Bull

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: The Starboard, 2009 Del. 1, Dewey Beach

Information: therunningofthebull.com