Pamplona’s green-haired ‘Joker’ is led away after another bull-run appearance. Credit: Tome Nota MX / X
A flash of green hair among San Fermín’s red-and-white runners became one of Pamplona’s strangest sights this weekend. But the American ‘Joker’s’ attempt to film beside the bulls on July 11 may now cost up to €6,000, and police have repeatedly stopped his return.
How a green-haired Joker became the main character in Pamplona’s bull run
Among the white shirts, red scarves and tightly packed runners of San Fermín, one man decided not to blend in with the crowd. With bright green hair, a painted white face, dark eyes and an exaggerated red smile, the American performer known online as Straightdroplace appeared dressed as Batman’s famous enemy during the first bull run on July 7.
El Joker se presenta en la Plaza de Toros de Pamplona durante las fiestas de San Fermín, y pasa esto: pic.twitter.com/fJb83C6Rxd
— Palo Justo (@PaloJusto) July 9, 2026
Spanish reports identify him as Lacey Mrzena, a visitor from Chicago who has previously used the Joker character at crowded events in the United States. He continued appearing on the Pamplona route over the following mornings, adjusting parts of his make-up but retaining the green hair, metallic-looking teeth and grin that made him easy to follow on television.
His appearances soon started to go viral on social media. He ran close to the bulls, posed for cameras and was knocked to the ground by a young cow during the vaquillas, the traditional event held inside the bullring after the morning run.
What gave the Joker’s performance a serious price tag
The cameo became considerably more expensive during the fifth encierro, or running of the bulls, on Saturday, July 11. Footage showed the Joker holding up a phone near the entrance to Pamplona’s bullring while the animals and other runners were still moving behind him.
Municipal Police officers intercepted him inside the arena and issued a proposed sanction for recording during the run. He was then removed before the post-run festivities could begin.
El “Joker de los Sanfermines”: De la viralidad al rigor legal
#Sanfermines2026
#Pamplona
#JokerSanfermines
#EncierroPamplona
#NoticiasPamplona
#PolémicaSanfermines
#ViralSanfermin
#SeguridadEncierro
#JokerEncierro pic.twitter.com/Dh5BYIYy8S
— Tome Nota MX (@TomeNotaMX) July 13, 2026
Pamplona’s Bull Run Ordinance classifies the unauthorised use of any image or sound recording device inside the route as a serious infringement. Navarra’s legislation allows serious offences to be punished with fines ranging from €601 to €6,000, depending on the circumstances.
The final amount has not been confirmed for the Chicago Joker. He currently faces a proposed sanction that could reach that amount.
Why the Joker costume was not the part that broke San Fermín’s rules
Pamplona’s regulations do not specifically prohibit dressing as characters or theatrical face paint. They do, however, ban clothing that obstructs the race, unsuitable footwear, recording equipment, touching or deliberately attracting the animals, and carrying objects that could endanger other runners.
Other runners are sneaky with new technology available to them. Municipal Police had already removed 54 pairs of smart glasses from runners during the first five encierros of 2026 because they could be used to record inside the route. Police said recording has become an increasingly common problem as participants chase footage to post online. A phone or hidden camera can become another distraction in a race that covers roughly 850 metres and usually lasts only a few minutes.
San Fermín’s Joker returned but police were already waiting
Being removed on Saturday did not end the character’s week in Pamplona. He returned on Sunday, reportedly with less face paint but the same unmistakable green hair, and officers stopped him from participating in the sixth bull run.
On Monday morning, July 13, local reports said he was again intercepted after climbing onto a balcony in Plaza Consistorial to watch the seventh run. He was later released and departed on a scooter while calling for respect and cheering for San Fermín.
With the final encierro scheduled for 8am on July 14, Pamplona has one more morning to discover whether its most recognisable unofficial character attempts another appearance.
