Thousands attend Starboard’s Running of the Bull

June 29, 2025 11

Dewey Beach transformed into a sea of red and white for The Starboard’s annual Running of the Bull, drawing around 2,000 people on a warm June 28.

The event, which The Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery calls fun and silly organized chaos, raises money for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company. According to Monty, this year’s event raised just over $12,000.

“Every year, we get a little better at coordinating everything, and the crowd gets a little better,” said Keith “Toastie” Kirk, who’s been working at The Starboard for more than 25 years. “Everybody’s here to have a good time.”

The tradition started at the bar 28 years ago, when Michael McDonnell and his friends decided to do their own wacky version of Pamplona, Spain’s Running of the Bulls with a bull costume and plenty of liquid courage.

Those brave enough to face the bull – or, rather, two guys in a bull costume – start at the popular Dewey bar and run down to the beach, down a block in the sand and then back to the bar. Then comes the bull fight between the bull and the matador.

This year, the bull, twin brothers and The Starboard employees Alex and Daniel Shives, defeated the matador, entertainment reporter Ryan Cormier, in an intense battle.

There was also live music by Kristen & The Noise and a flyover by the Delaware State Police helicopter.