Most sporting events in America have a giant party in the aftermath of the event (Boston is notorious for this).
However, in Pamplona, Spain, thousands of people packed Pamplona's main square to signify the beginning of the San Fermin Festival, known most for the annual running of the bulls.
The nine-day festival starts with the launching of the "chupinazo" rocket, followed by all in attendance tying a red handkerchief around their neck with wine, champagne and water soaking the white shirts of the attendees purple.
The first of eight dashes begins Thursday, when thousands of patrons try and outrun six bulls on an 875-yard course. With bulls and humans stumbling and tripping over one another the entire way, organized chaos is the best way to describe the event.
The run starts at 8 a.m. local time and is followed by the six bulls who ran that day to face matadors later that afternoon.
Since 1924, when records started to be kept, 15 people have died in the running of the bulls, most recently 27-year-old Spanish runner Daniel Jimeno Romero in 2009.
The Red Cross said 15 people were taken to the hospital after the opening ceremony.
