Editor's note: I recently received a request from a friend to see if she could get Berks County Living access to photograph her husband, who was going to "Run with the Bulls" at Maple Grove Raceway, and just couldn't help but help her out. After all, aren't you curious what happens at an event like that? Here's her account of the day, and some amazing images...
Maple Grove Raceway played host to The Great Bull Run on June 7. While running with bulls has never really been on my bucket list of things to do, I guess I can say I crossed this activity off my list.
Thirty-six, 1,000-pound bulls replaced the usual weekend drag racing lineup. Adrenaline rush seekers gathered along the red gates waiting for the chance to run, jump, interact with or just plain say, "I Did it!" One gentleman even popped the question to his girlfriend just as the bulls were about to be released. Joseph Mooney from Philadelphia wore a tank top under his shirt that read, " Melissa, will you marry me?" The back the shirt said, " and that's no Bull." Melissa said she was so excited that she was shaking during the Bull Run. And she, of course, said "Yes."
John Farnack of Windgap, Pa. was overheard talking to a few friends who were all extremely excited about the first few runs with the bulls. "The people here are really great! It's all about the nutsness!" they exclaimed. And yes. The whole thing was just that. Nutsness. There were people dressed as cows, a Spiderman, and matadors, women (and men) dressed in tutus and a stuffed mascot bull that seemed to make an appearance in nearly everyone's photographs.
There was even a mechanical bull for those not brave enough or old enough to be in with the big bulls. Krystina, 7, rode the mechanical bull twice and begged for more. At the end of the day my husband, Patrick, was already planning for next year's Bull Run and what "nutsness" he could dream up next.
