The sound of hooves can be heard in the distance. The bull is coming.

The Starboard's annual Running of the Bull, one of Dewey Beach's quirkiest traditions, returns Saturday, June 27, for the 29th year. Think a "drunk uncle" spoof of the famous Pamplona, Spain, event: a herd of more than 1,500 people, most harnessing the powers of liquid courage, being chased by two guys in a bull costume down the street, onto the beach and back to The Starboard for more drinks and fun, including a fierce battle between the bull and a matador.

The event benefits the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, typically raising between $12,000 and $16,000 a year for the organization. Last year, it raised just over $12,000. In the last eight to 10 years that the RBVFC has been the beneficiary, more than $100,000 has been raised.

"This event is pure silliness," said Steve "Monty" Montgomery, owner of The Starboard. "It's just a really fun, silly day in Dewey Beach, and that's what we love about it."

The day will kick off early, with doors at The Starboard opening at 8 a.m. and bar service starting at 9 a.m. Live music by Kristen & The Noise and the Hot Sauce Band will start at noon and continue throughout the day.

The main run is set for 2 p.m, with a separate family-friendly kids' run scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on the Dagsworthy Avenue beach.

Just before 2 p.m., during a playing of the national anthem, there will be a flyover with five World War II fighter jets.

Then, the run will begin.

Participants will start at The Starboard, head north three blocks on Coastal Highway, cross the highway and head east on Houston Street toward the ocean. They will then turn right onto the beach and run south along the ocean for three blocks back before returning to the road and ending back at The Starboard.

Delaware Department of Transportation workers and Dewey Beach police officers will be present to ensure everyone crosses the highway safely, and the crossing usually takes less than three minutes, according to Montgomery. DelDOT will remain in town throughout the day to run the traffic lights in long cycles to keep the traffic moving smoothly.

After the run, the bull will battle the matador – or, as Montgomery calls him this year, the "Bob-ador" – back at The Starboard. This year, the matador is a Dewey Beach property owner named Bob Senko.

The Bob-ador got his costume custom-tailored for the occasion – and it looks outstanding, Montgomery said.

The main run will take place rain or shine, but the kids' run may be canceled in case of rain or inclement weather, Montgomery said. He is monitoring weather forecasts, and any event updates will be posted on The Starboard's social media accounts and on marquees outside the bar.

Entrance to the event is free, but RBVFC volunteers will be at the door and inside the venue accepting $10 donations.

This year might look a little different because it's the first year with The Starboard's new outdoor pavilion. The stage layout and positioning will be slightly different to account for that.

Montgomery urged people to stay hydrated, eat, have patience and arrive early to beat the long lines. Breakfast sandwiches will be sold throughout the crowd to ensure people stay fueled.

"It's a big crowd. We put a lot of time and money into safety to make sure that everybody can have a good time and make the best of the day," Montgomery said. "People love it, people live for it, people rent their homes for a week for this event. Every business always tells me it's one of their better days of the year, so that makes me feel absolutely wonderful. If we can do an event that helps everybody, we're doing something good."