Bears Unite: Spring Thaw 21 Takes Over The Emerald City

April 24, 2015• byJohn Boucher

Seattle is about to become hairier and heavier this weekend as bears from all over the world arrive for Spring Thaw 21. Hosted by the Northwest Bears, Spring Thaw begins on April 23rd and there is plenty for its participants to see and do over its four-day span.

Highlights of the weekend include a cruise around Lakes Union and Washington; a visit to the EMP/Sci-Fi Museum; a Mariner’s game at Safeco Field; a “Bear Soup” pool party at Medgar Evars Pool; and various bar-related events at The Cuff, Diesel and beyond. The detailed schedule can be downloaded here, and it looks action-packed.

As of this writing, some of the activities are sold out, and hotel rooms are scarce, but it’s not too late to join the fun. Check the Spring Thaw website for details about hotels and registration.

Highlights for Friday, April 24:

5:00p – 7:00p DIESEL: Hot Dog Feed & Bear Happy Hour party! Plus Bear Beard Contest

Seattle CubCakes Softball Team selling Jell-O shots!

@ Diesel [transport 4:30p, included w/ meal]

6:45p – 2:30a Bus Loop starts. To: Hotel, Steamworks, CC’s, The Cuff, and Diesel

8:15p – 9:45p POOL: BEAR SOUP ! @ Medgar Evers Pool. Music, sauna, easy pool games like team water-basketball & synchronized swimming contest! [Included in run, transport 7:45p from Hotel. Or any Bear $10 door. Private party w/ life guards & towels, need swim suit]

10:00p – close CC’s: Under-bear Party, Muffin Top Bear Softball Team selling Jell-O shots! @ CC’s

Plus Bear Belly Contest at 11:00 pm [always no cover at CC’Attles]

Highlights for Saturday, April 25:

11:00a – 2:00p Lake Union/Washington Boat Cruise & Lunch / Best Bear Buns contest!

2:15p – 6:00p Steamworks: Bears, Bath & Beyond play party 100+ bears! [$5 OFF with Badge]

6:00p – 9:00p Seattle Mariners & Bear Hat give a way @ Safeco Field Stadium

[Included in run – ticket in packet, first 20,000 gets cool Bear Hat – goes quick]

10:00p – close Fur Fling Dance & Bear Underwear Auction – Circuit DJ! @ Cuff, open to all

About the Author: John Boucher

John Boucher is a transmedia artist who works in text, image, and sound; a filmmaker who has written, directed, produced, and edited several films; the editor of the Seattle-based indie feature film Heart Breaks Open; the former assistant to screenwriter Stewart Stern at TheFilmSchool; a scholar who holds two film degrees from Seattle Central College and The Evergreen State College, and an MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics from The University of Washington Bothell; and a critic who harbors conflicted opinions about nearly everything.