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It started as a simple picnic for big and hairy guys, and grew to the biggest Bear Run in
the world.
While attendance may not be quite what it was in, say, 1998, a thousand bears is more than
enough to provide
any bear's fur fix. And feeding, transporting and entertaining a thousand bears is
a logistical
challenge few clubs would attempt, much less achieve like the
Great Lakes Bears.
As always, Bear Pride 2001 was held Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago, a time of
unpredictable weather.
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Host hotel welcomes the Bears
This year, the weather was just plain miserable -- hail, rain, and wind. Fortunately, there's
lots of things to do inside.
The host hotel was, for the third straight year, the Hyatt Regency
McCormick Place...
a nice place with more than adequate facilities to host a gathering of this size, but a
little pricey and
out of the way from downtown.
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Frisch original drawing auctioned for charity
Bear Pride, like many established runs, has a time-tested 'formula,' defining the schedule
for the weekend,
which is only tweeked slightly from year to year.
It kicks off with an early arrivers party on Thursday night, at two adjoining bars on the
north side,
Touche and Jackhammer.
During the day Friday are optional trips to Six Flags, Museums, and Loop shopping, and a
very efficient
registration process.
IML (International Mr. Leather) is also in town at the Palmer House, and a visit to their
"Leather Market"
is well worth the trip.
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Vendor Market opens Friday afternoon
The festivities really get going Friday night with the Singles/First Timers mixer, and
then the Welcome Party, sponsored by Bearby.
The Welcome Party featured plenty of food, a performance by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus,
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus performs
and lots of
conversation with old and new friends (yes, you could hear yourself think), along
with searching for
Mr. Right Now for activities later in the evening.
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The Online Party at the Cell Block
Saturday afternoon highlights are the Bar Crawl through the gay district, Boystown
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Street sign in Boystown
(the area is delineated by the
City of Chicago with
rainbow-colored phallic symbols),
and especially the Online Party at the Cell Block.
Busses are in a
constant loop between the Hyatt and several spots in the Boystown area.
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Bears transfer from damaged bus
This year, one of
the busses, overloaded
with about 7.5 tons of bears, got into an accident on the rain-slick road, blocking a lane
of Lake Shore Drive
for almost an hour. There was only one small injury to a child in the minivan-Mercedes-Honda
chain reaction
crash, and none of the bears was hurt, except maybe the dignity of one who had to relieve
himself in a coffee cup while stuck
on the bus.
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Great Lakes Bears volunteers have fun at the Online Party 'Post Office'
The Online Party at Bear Pride actually works, with a constant stream of "you've
got mail!" announcements,
tacos, and reasonably priced drinks at the Cell Block.
Unfortunately, the weather
(pouring down rain) was
not conducive to wandering through the other bars and eclectic shops in Boystown which is
so enjoyable,
and the busses never seemed to make it back to the Cell Block, necessitating an unplanned
cab ride.
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Plenty of Bear Food at the buffet
Saturday night starts with a buffet at the Hyatt, then the Mr. Bear Pride Contest, and a
dance.
Prior to the contest was a performance by 'MusicBear', and a Fashion Show by Bearby.
The contest just wasn't the same this year without long-time MC Danny Williams,
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Mr. Bear Pride 2001 Finalists
but was
still fun, with a
good group
of woofy guys with the guts to strut their stuff.
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Mr. Bear Pride 2001 trying to look innocent
Sunday at Bear Pride may well be the most fun day on the bear calendar.
It begins with the 'cookout,' the last vestige of the original picnic -- which for the
last two years has
been held completely inside due to weather. Then comes the optional "Wet and Wild" party
at the Steamworks,
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Chilling in the lobby on Sunday afternoon
a high-tech bathhouse with a huge hot tub, TV rooms, slings, and (not always bear-sized)
mazes. And, yes, you
can have fun at this without earning an s+++ bear code.
After that, there's the Club Cocktail Party, and time to enjoy a dinner at one of Chicago's fantastic restaurants.
The last major event at Bear Pride is the Sunday night "Nutts to Butts" party at Drink, a huge
restaurant/dance complex.
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The smokey dance floor at Drink
Without qualification, this
is the best Bear Dance in the universe... hundreds of shirtless, sweaty bears of all
descriptions, everyone dancing with everyone
else, and no one in particular, until 2, 3, 4 a.m. It's the kind of party that leaves you
thinking, even if
you were drenched by the rain, or frustrated with the busses, or didn't enjoy the contest,
or didn't attract that bear you were after,
"Wow! I had a great time. I can't wait to come back."
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Show Tunes party at SideTrack
Monday winds down with an optional Breakfast at the Hyatt (for those that can get up that
early), and for
those still remaining, the Show Tunes party at SideTrack in the afternoon.
Of the four Bear Prides I've attended, this wasn't the best. The previous years set a
high standard, and
sometimes the weather and economics just don't cooperate.
But once again, the Bear Pride Committee did a fantastic job, and the Great Lakes Bears
were wonderful hosts.
"Wow! I had a great time. I can't wait to come back."
dwc
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