BEARSTOCK 2009 - A HUGE SUCESS!

Post date: Jan 04, 2010 7:35:38 AM

Dear members and friends

Well what a crazy 4 days it's been, but now it's all over - until next year.

Bearstock 2009 proved to be the most successful Bearstock ever, with record ticket sales and attendances, and record numbers of interstate and international visitors.

The fun started on Thursday night, with around 100 bears and friends attending the gala screening of finalists in The Golden Woofs, the world's first international bear short film competition. After the films were screened BMofA president Chris Lennon took the microphone to open the envelope and announce the winner... Rob Sherman and Dan Dowling Jr. of the USA for their hilarious film "Wide 'N' Furry". Boys, the cheque is in the mail.

After the screening around 60 bears joined us back at the Whitmore for Post Film Drinks, where the films were discussed late into the night and many new friendships were made.

Friday night saw the launch of out Supercub art exhibition at the Whitmore. Around 70 bears and friends turned up throughout the night to see the amazing images by our Bearstock Artist In Residence Daniel Kennett.

Saturday morning saw 22 bears pack in to a couple of mini buses for Barossa Bears, a winery tour with gourmet bbq lunch on the river just out of Tanunda. A good time was had by all despite the weather, and we learnt a valuable lesson about catering for bears - bears don't do salad!

Then Saturday night was the big one - the Mr Bear SA competition. Once again the hilarious Bad Father hosted, and had the audience in stitches for the entire night. 4 contestants strutted their stuff and at the end of the night the winner was... Robin Hatherall of Adelaide. The audience of around 80 were also treated to performances by Adelaide bear band Armpit Stench and Sydney cabaret performer Justin J Bear.

Sunday saw the bears chilling out at Feast's Piicnic In The Park, a perfect wind down after the hectic 3 days preceding it.

I'd like to take this oppurtunity to thank all the members who worked so hard to make this Bearstock the biggest and best ever - Peter Evans, Shaun Brown, Ash Daxton, Robin Hatherall, Matt Hanks and Chris Lennon. I'd also like to thank all the members and friends who attended. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Bear Men of Adelaide has once again proven that we are Adelaide's premier bear club, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting events in the future, including Bearstock 2010. And remember, we are the bear club for ALL South Australian bears and friends... so see you soon at one of our friday night pub or den nights at the Whitmore.

Cheers,

Eric Kuhlmann

Events Coordinator

Bear Men of Adelaide