Despite my well-deserved reputation as a globetrotter and travel cognoscente, I have yet to attend the running of the bulls in Spain. The closest I've come was the time I ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese (in my defense, it was before reading Fast Food Nation), then ran on the treadmill for an hour because I felt so bloated from wolfing it down. Thankfully, there are more appropriate ways to celebrate the running of the bulls - even in Puyallup. The Washington State Fair kicks off Friday with its annual Western Rodeo Parade down Meridian Street. A herd of cattle, equestrian drill teams, draft horse hitches, military marching bands, great musical entertainment, royalty, and cowboys on horseback will make their way down Meridian - all without pesky goring and maiming. Nice.

WESTERN RODEO PARADE & CATTLE DRIVE, 10 a.m., West Main Avenue start, then down Meridian Street to fairgrounds, downtown Puyallup, free gate admission 9 a.m. to noon, thefair.com

See Also

Calendar: Arts and Entertainment

Calendar: Music and Nightlife