ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On the typically quiet cobblestone streets in downtown St. Augustine a man is trying to not only bring in thousands of people, but dozens of bulls.
It's called “Running with the Bulls” and we learned city officials are running away from the idea.
The concept of intentionally running with bulls gained popularity in Spain. But for the past five years, Phil Immardino has organized the event here in the United States, most recently in Cave Creek, Arizona. If Immardino gets his way, it will be coming to the city of St. Augustine soon.
"We just think it's a natural tie-in, especially this next year because of their anniversary,” Immardino said.
Locals, like Joshua Sowards, couldn’t agree more.
"That'd be great. I think it would be a very cool experience to have in St. Augustine,” said Sowards.
But what does the city think?
Action News went straight to Dana Ste. Claire, the Director of St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration, to find out what the likelihood is of bulls bursting down St. George Street.
"It almost surely will not happen,” said Ste. Claire, “While it sounds like a fascinating idea, it just isn't feasible for St. Augustine and what it was proposed for.”
Ste. Claire says he did receive a proposal from Immardino, but it was only explored conceptually.
In a statement regarding the proposal, St. Augustine City Manager John Regan said, “City staff has determined that Mr. Immordino’s event, or any similar event, will not be approved because the event would pose an unacceptable level of liability for the city.”
Prompting locals to say, therein lies the fun.
"I think that's half the fun, adding a little danger in there makes it even better,” said Sowards.
Immardino is planning a trip down to St. Augustine on November 7 to meet with local decision makers about his proposal. He says if the city turns him down, he will look into holding the event on private property nearby.
