Bloodless Bullfights

Portuguese-style bullfighting — a Central Valley tradition — is coming to the Stanislaus County Fair.

The Turlock Pentecost Association Bloodless Bullfights will be in the FoodMaxx Arena at 6:30 p.m. July 10.

“We try to make each Fair better than the year before, having new exhibits and entertainment achieves that,” said Jose Piña, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair.

This style of bullfighting differs from the Portuguese-style in the fact that the bull isn’t hurt or killed. The same promise to not hurt the animal is not given to those who choose to step into the arena and test their courage against the bull. The forcados are the bullfighters. In Portuguese tradition, they taunt the animal in hopes that it will charge them. They follow the cavaleiros, who battle the bull from horseback into the arena. The bullfights have been created to always be bloodless.

The cavaleiros use a Velcro-tipped banderilla and a short spear-shaped tool, which attaches to a Velcro pad on the bull’s back. After the cavaleiros finish what they call their “dance with the bull,” the forcados enter the arena. They challenge the bull directly, aiming to grab the bull by the horns without any protection or defense. The forcados this year are Tiago Carreiras, Joao Soller-Garcia and Antonio Nuncio. These brave men will enter the arena and face the bull head on. Along with the bullfight, traditional bands like Filarmonica Portuguesa de Tulare will also be at the arena.

The Turlock Pentecost Association continues the tradition of their Portuguese heritage of celebrating faith and devotion to the Holy Spirit for over 108 years. Through generous support of the community, the Association extends a helping hand to those in need with college scholarships, shopping trips for underprivileged children, support for Turlock Together holiday charity, burial services for needy families, cancer awareness, and support for ALS patients, local FFA chapters, Valley Children’s Hospital, and Sacred Heart Parish.

Tickets for the Bloodless Bullfights are $15 to $20 and can be purchased at: stancofair.com or at the Fair’s box office, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock.