BearTown 2007. Photo by Steve L.
Your Pride schedule is already filling up, I know. But for the furries and and belly-lovers among us you really don’t want to miss this weekend’s BearTown 14: Carnival of Bears put on by the Oregon Bears.
Indeed this celebration, amazingly in its 14th year, has much to much to completely profile but luckily the bears have cooked up some great highlights. (Oh yeah, and to hint yet again at the new qPDXer, and man about town, who will be covering several of these events as well…Is anticipation building yet?)
Our main event, known this year as the Feast of the Beasts Banquet and Mr. Oregon Bear and Cub Contest is the highlight of the weekend and will take place at the Red Lion Hotel. This event will be packed with a good dose of laughter and some inspiring men who will take up the challenge to represent our club.
Back this year, at CC Slaughter’s, is the wildly popular Funhouse UnderBear Dance Party Friday night and introducing Tilt-A-Whirl Dance Party Saturday night under the Big Top at the Jupiter Hotel.
We have a couple of events that are sure to soothe the savage beast in all! The Portland music scene, one of the best in the word, will spark your interest. Sit back and enjoy BearTown Acoustic Music Jam III featuring local and regional artists. Cheers, Cheese & Chocolates, is a tasting event that will feature our region’s best food and drink indulgences. And with our new non-smoking laws, the committee has taken on the challenge and has improved our cigar social, Yogies Who Smoke Stogies, a social event to relax and enjoy the smooth flavors of your favorite tobacco.
BearTown 2007. Photo by Steve L.
For those of you who are so inclined to shed a bit of your outerwear, we have several events just for you! Join us for Bears & Bubbles Hot Tub Event at Portland Tub and Tan and Bath House Madness at STEAM Portland. Added this year is the Shed the Shirt Happy Hour T-shirt Exchange at the Fox and Hound. And for those more adventurous souls looking for a “bit” more, then be sure to attend the Blowoff and Hanky-Panky After-Hours Social.
What’s a “Carnival” without the weird and strange? Join us as we explore the depths of Portland’s Underground City Tour. And do you feel a little lucky? Our beloved Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite you to play along as they host Bearded Lady Bingo under the big top and/or experience the Mystics Lounge as we introduce you to those who keep Portland WEIRD!
As the weekend comes to an end, the BearTown 14 Committee would like to send you off with a relaxing Willamette River cruise through the heart of the city. Featuring music by local artists, the Celebration Carnival Cruise & Brunch will be just what is needed before your head back home. But for those who stick around a bit longer, we have one more last call to toast the hard work of all who participated this weekend during the Hugs & Tugs Farewell Event.
A full schedule can be found below:
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Registration Pick-up and Walk-up/Ala Carte Ticket Sales – 6:00pm to 9:00pm Eagle Portland
Hairy! Hairy! Step Right Up! Meet and Greet. – 8:00pm to 11:00pm Eagle Portland
Friday, June 5, 2009
Registration Pick-up and Walk-up/Ala Carte Ticket Sales – 10:00am to 7:00pm, Jupiter Hotel, Think Tank
Bear Invasion NW 23rd (NEW) – 11:00am to 1:00pm, Corner of NW 23rd Ave and Burnside
Portland Underground City Tour (NEW) – 11:00am to 1:00pm, Jupiter Hotel
Cheers, Cheese & Chocolates Wine Event – 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Jupiter Hotel, Dream Box
Bears & Bubbles Hot Tub Event – 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Portland Tub and Tan
Shed the Shirt Happy Hour T-shirt Exchange – 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Fox and Hounds
Yogies Who Smoke Stogies Cigar Social – 7:00pm to 9:30pm, Jupiter Hotel Courtyard
Fun House UnderBear Dance Party – 9:00pm to 1:00am, CC Slaughters
Blowoff After-Hours Social (NEW)- 2:00am to 4:00am, Jupiter Hotel, Dream Suite
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Bears Behind the Big Top Contestant Brunch (NEW) – 9:00am to 11:00am, Jupiter Hotel, Dream Box
Bearded Lady Bingo with the Sisters – 11:00am to 1:30pm, Jupiter Hotel Courtyard
BearTown Music Jam III – 1:45pm to 4:45pm, Jupiter Hotel Courtyard
Bath Time for Bears – 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Steam Portland
Spirits & Libations Cocktail Social – 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Red Lion Hotel Ballroom
Feast of the Beasts Banquet – 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Red Lion Hotel Convention Center Ballroom
Bear & Cub Contest – 7:30pm to 9:30pm, Red Lion Hotel Convention Center Ballroom
Tilt-A-Whirl Dance Party (NEW) – 9:30pm to 2:00am, Jupiter Hotel Courtyard
Mystics Lounge (NEW) – 10:00pm, Jupiter Hotel, Dream Box
Hanky-Panky After-Hours Social (NEW) – 2:00am to 4:00am, Jupiter Hotel, Dream Suite
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Celebration Carnival Cruise & Brunch – 11:30am to 3:30pm, Portland Spirit – 110 SE Caruthers St. (Eastside of the River)
Hugs & Tugs Farewell Event – 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Eagle Portland
These are only a few of the fun activities and events for the weekend. Visit this web site often for updates to the schedule. Please be aware, many of our popular events pack the house, so only “Full Package” guests are guaranteed entrance to core events. Admittance to any event may be limited due to crowd capacity. Register early for best pricing!
