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Kids’ Running of the Bull takes over Dewey

The Starboard’s family-friendly version of the Running of the Bull takes place on Dasgworthy Street in Dewey Beach. This year’s event drew nearly 200 youngsters. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 29, 2025

The Starboard held its Kids’ Running of the Bull event June 28, as the foggy weather didn’t deter a crowd of nearly 200 people from chasing the bull on Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach during the annual family-friendly celebration.

Donations from the event benefit the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company. 

The bull was defeated after the run by 2025 matador Olivia Spangler.

“It felt really good to win over the bull,” said Spangler. “I used a flying side kick that I learned in karate.” 

 

Matador Olivia Spangler, 7, practices her karate with The Starboard Shark ‘Sharkey’ before the fight with the bull.
Despite her obvious size difference, matador Olivia Spangler, 7, knocks the bull down to size with her blue-belt karate kicks.
The Starboard matador Olivia Spangler says “Ole!”
The bull runs down matador Olivia Spangler during the bullfight.
Referee Kenny Garfinkel says the fight is over as matador Olivia Spangler raises her hand in victory after a karate kick.
Preparing the beach balls are The Starboard’s Chloe Godbout, left, and Devin Bautz.
Eva Macaluso , 6, models her official Kids’ Running of the Bull swag.
Showing off their free Running of the Bull shirts are Addie, left, and Nivi Schanmugham.
The Starboard’s DJ Smoky keeps the kids informed of the status of the run.
Casey Karp, 3, and his father Steve get a fist bump from the Hershey Bears’ mascot Coco.
Josephine DiSabatino, 4, poses with her new friends (l-r) University of Delaware mascot YoUDee, Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe and Hershey Bears mascot Coco.
Giving away free swag are Tiffany Dalecki, left, and Dewey Beach Commissioner Elisabeth Gibbings.
Riding the inflatable bulls are (l-r) Laila Macaluso, 4, Eva Macaluso, 6, Connor Coffield, 8, Tyson Macaluso, 8, and Amelia Coffield, 8.
Getting a pre-run picture with Baltimore Raven mascot Poe is Jackson Sala, 10, of Lewes.
The Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery, left, goes over the day’s events with Dewey Town Manager Bill Zolper.
Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot gets comfortable on an inflatable bull.
The Starboard bull enters the beach under the watchful eye of Bull Security Zach Simpler, left.
Matador Olivia Spangler gets a post-run picture with mascots (l-r) Starboard Shark ‘Sharkey’, the Starboard Bull, Baltimore Ravens’ Poe, University of Delaware’s YoUDee, Hershey Bears’ Coco and Washington Capitals’ Slapshot.
And they’re off.
Slapshot and YoUDee perform the Electric Slide.
YoUDee raises matador Olivia Spangler’s hand in victory.
Matador Olivia Spangler takes down the bull with a flying sidekick.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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