Running with the Bulls ~

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been staying busy helping my daughter's school with their upcoming auction.  Their elementary school has a bull for it's mascot, and the theme of this years auction is Running with the Bulls.  Anybody familiar with this event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain?  I did my research and this is what I found...

Every year from July 7th-14th thousands pack into Pamplona to start Spain's most famous bull-running fiesta to honor Navarre capital's patron saint, San Fermin.  Young men gather at the bottom of Santo Domingo, which is the starting line. They crowd together and sing to the image of San Fermin which is placed in a niche on a wall. (They are asking San Fermin, as their Patron, to guide them through the Bull Run and give them his blessing.) Then, as a rocket goes off, a number of fighting bulls are let out onto the streets. A second rocket is then let off to make sure everyone knows the bulls are loose in the street. The bulls run along the narrow street about a half a mile to a bull ring. The runners dash along in front of the bulls, aiming to feel the breath of the bull on their backs, getting as close as possible - all while trying to avoid getting gored by their sharp horns. The supposed way to do this is to start off slowly when the bulls are quite a distance behind. Then as they get nearer start running like crazy! You can then go near them for a short time, as near as you are prepared to risk it, and then quickly get out of the way. Runners look for a gap in the fence to slip through or jump over, or a space against the wall of the street.  When the bulls finally reach the end of the street they go into pens.

Honestly, it all sounds a little barbaric to me, and after googling images to get some inspiration for centerpieces, I realized these runners are cRaZy!

The only thing in the images that stood out to me was that all the runners wear white pants and a white shirt, with a red sash belt.   I decided to use my imagination for the rest of the centerpiece and this is what I came up with. 

Keep in mind that I'm trying to spend "next to nothing" on these in order to keep the costs down for the school.  These roses were 2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree.  They are actually very thin wood.

 I downloaded this bull image and sewed it onto the burlap. 

The majority of these vases were leftover from the auction 2 years ago.  They were also Dollar Tree purchases.  I used 3 yds of inexpensive red fabric cut into strips to tie around the vases and added the

burlap bull image with a piece of leather cording.

 The auction is this Saturday, March 12th.  Wish us luck!  The school is hoping to raise enough money to build a running track around the back field of the school.  Hopefully no bulls will be involved :)

I'm linking to the following party:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm