Mesquite will run bulls second year

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 12:07 p.m.

It will be bigger and better than before -- no bull.

Actually, there will be even more snortin', rip-roarin' bulls, which is one reason the second annual Running of the Bulls America 1999 event figures to be more impressive than last year's inaugural run.

NevStar Gaming & Entertainment, owner and operator of Mesquite Star Hotel Casino, said today that plans have been finalized by the Mesquite Resort Association with promoter Phil Immordino for the event, which is scheduled for July 9-11 in the resort community 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

The event, an Americanized version of the running of the bulls made famous in Pamplona, Spain, has been expanded because of the success of last year's run, NevStar Chairman and CEO Michael Signorelli said.

"Our Mesquite Star Hotel Casino experienced significant business from the 1998 Running of the Bulls and we endorsed an expanded event for this year through the Mesquite Resort Association and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority," Signorelli said in a news release.

"The worldwide media coverage last year helped put Mesquite on the map. This year we are anticipating a much larger crowd and even more media coverage of the event."

Last year's July 11 event boosted normal Mesquite room occupancy levels for that time of year from 60 percent to 95 percent.

Last year's running, actually held across the border in Mohave County, Ariz., drew more than 700 participants, who ran ahead of a dozen half-ton bulls over a quarter-mile course. More than 7,000 spectators watched.

NevStar said this year's event will be limited to 2,000 runners in four runs over two days. Each run will feature 500 participants.

Last year, participants paid $50 for the thrill of running from a bull. Those who register before the end of the month will pay $50 for this year's event. Beginning April 1, the cost will be $65.

The event will also be expanded to include a rodeo clown competition, cowboy poker, a concert and Saturday night party along with "more seating, more shade, more food and more bulls," NevStar said in a news release.

Mesquite officials said today that the event is planned for the city's fairgrounds.

Last September, in a Moccasin, Ariz., court, Phoenix-based promoter Immordino was fined $5,539 and sentenced to a year probation for not having a use permit to hold the first bull run. That will not be a problem this year, because the event will be on the Nevada side and a permit is in the works from the city, officials said.

Immordino has arranged for a one-hour syndicated TV show of the event to be produced and aired in August and September, NevStar said.

Interested participants and spectators can obtain bull run event information on Immordino's web site, www.runwiththebulls.com.

"Our Mesquite Star management is planning some special events as well as a continuing series of monthly promotions to help expand awareness of Mesquite as a true destination resort area," Signorelli said

Last year's event drew criticism from animal rights activists, who said it was cruel to the bulls.

"We didn't see anything like that," NevStar spokesman Lamar Owens said today. "We opened the gate, they ran from one end to the other and then they ate. I don't think the bulls were as concerned about the runners as the people were about them."

Last August, the Mesquite City Council voted 4-1 to hold a second running of the bulls.