Bull-chasing festival kicks off in Spain

Summer is here, let the festivals begin!

Thousands of revelers doused each other with wine on Monday to celebrate the start of the famed San Fermin running of the bulls festival in the Spanish city.

The festival started with the traditional launching of a fireworks rocket known as the "Chupinazo" from the town hall balcony.

As this happened, the crowd, donned the traditional costume of red neckerchiefs, along with white shirts and trousers, as they jumped and screamed "Viva San Fermin!"

The Chupinazo takes place a day before the first of eight 8 a.m. bull runs.

Thousands of people at the festival test their speed and bravery by racing ahead of six fighting bulls along a 850-meter course from a holding pen to the city's bull ring.

The bulls are then killed by professional matadors in bullfights each afternoon.

Bull runs, or "encierros," as they are called in Spanish, are a traditional part of summer festivals across Spain, although dozens are injured each year in the runs, most of them in falls.

Have you ever taken part in the famed San Fernin festival, if not is it something you'd be interested in? Share your thoughts with us.