The Bull Bash will be returning to the Owensboro Sportscenter this year, but officials have decided not to include Cowboy Pinball in the lineup of events.
Last year’s Bull Bash included a game called Cowboy Pinball, where members of the audience signed waivers and volunteered to stand in circles as they attempted to grab a $100 bill off a bull running rampant through the volunteers. Two volunteers were thrown into the air, and one man was transported to the hospital via ambulance during the event.
“We rent the facility to a promoter — we’re just simply the venue,” said Laura Alexander, general manager of the Owensboro Sportscenter and Owensboro Convention Center. “We contract the promoter, and we both agreed not to do anything with Cowboy Pinball again.”
Despite last year’s Cowboy Pinball incident, Alexander expects this year’s Bull Bash to bring in people from all over.
“Each year, it’s grown in attendance,” Alexander said of the event, which will be held for the third time this year. “We expect a lot of out-of-towners to come. We really hope this event brings people out of town to stay in our hotels, eat out at our restaurants and enjoy our nightlife.”
This year’s event is actually called Bull Bash and Bands, Alexander said, because live music will be played during Sunday’s more family-friendly performance.
“We wanted to do something different and make it a fun night for everybody,” Alexander said. “With events like this, our intention is to bring unique and quality events so [locals] don’t have to travel out of town for entertainment options.”
The Sportscenter will likely hold between 2,500 and 3,000 for the Bull Bash event, which will take place the weekend of Feb. 15-16. Saturday’s event will start at 7 p.m. and will include Junction Creek Band, while Sunday’s events will begin at 2 p.m. and will include activities for children.
