Thousands of locals and tourists are preparing for the most anticipated celebration of the month: the sanmiguelada, which takes place tomorrow, September 23.
The streets will fill with the courageous and foolhardy dressed in traditional white and red for the famous running of the bulls, a passionate festival that combines bravado and bulls in the streets surrounding the Jardín in San Miguel de Allende.
About 25,000 spectators and participants are expected to crowd the Jardín and the streets, balconies, windows and rooftops along the route. The participants dress in white T-shirts and red bandanas, a tradition that recalls the martyrdom of San Fermín, who was decapitated. Prior to the running of the bulls, there is a convite, a parade with the queen of the Peña Taurina and her manolas (handmaidens). Then a rocket, known as a chupinazo, signals the beginning of the celebration at noon with the release of the first bull. The bulls are then released in intervals of between 5 to 15 minutes. At the end of the sanmiguelada, this year with a duration of 30 minutes, the bulls are captured. Three rockets are launched to announce that the last bull has been locked up, and people continue with the fiesta. According to my reports there will be 8 bulls this year each weighing 500 killos.
