MidWest BearFest 2006
Our venture to Indianapolis started out early on Friday Dec 15. Woke up at 5am and departed for BWI at 6:20am for our 9:30am flight. (damn, we will already 20 min behind schedule) Of course, since we will already running late, it had to foggy. About 30 miles out of Baltimore we ran into some slow moving traffic, which just delayed us more. Finally did arrive at the long term parking at 8:30am. Waited 15 min for the shuttle and finally did arrive at the terminal at 8:50am. Waited in line at curb side check-in to check our baggage in. Got up to security check point at 9:05am, and of course since we were running late, none of the security attendants had a worry in the world and just took their good old time. Yep, long lines at security. Well, when we did to Gate B11, it was 9:25. Thanks God our plane had just landed and was unloading. Finally we boarded and got off the ground at 9:40am. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Indy at 11:20, but we landed at 10:50. Gosh, we got in early.
We got off the plane and made our way to baggage claim, Once we got to baggage claim we only had to wait 10 min for the luggage. After getting the luggage, we turned around and there was Max and John (Mr. Bear Toronto) waiting for us. Made our way outside to curbside and waited for the hotel shuttle.
Got to the hotel at 11:40 and of course we had to wait a hour for our room to be ready, so we decided to get check in for the bear run and then headed to the bar for a few drinks.
This weekend was fantastic!!! The schedule was full of events, very well planned. Only down-slope of the weekend was that the run was held at the Clarion Hotel and the hotel had no restaurant. Closest food place was Denny's about 1 mile away. Damn, wish we would have gotten a rental car. But we ordered in chinese. Hmmm Very Good.
The run started out on Friday at 5pm with a Meet n Greet/Pool Party, vendor mall opened at 6pm and then there was a Pizza Party. Most Huggable Bear Contest was at 10pm, Cocktail and Strip Poker Tournament at Midnight, Dance Party at midnight and of course the Late night rooms opened at 1am. Richcub2002 entered the Huggable Bear contest after some persuasion from myself, Max and John. Max and I were 2 of the 5 judges for the contest. Also one of the judges was Big Dog Steve from Sirius Talk Show "Bear Talk Radio". There were a total of 17 contestants, with only 4 of them advancing to the finals on Sat.
Well once the discovery came about that there was a judge and a contestant whom was partners, that contestant was disqualified. Hmmm, I wonder who that contestant was?
We finally got to bed at about 4:30am Sat morning. Woke up at 9am for breakfast. Sat was another fun filled day of activities. Starting with the Eye-Opener w/Donuts and Coffee at 8:30, Vendor Market at 10am, Day trip to Indianapolis Speedway Museum, Pool Party and Sat afternoon Matinee at 12 noon. Picnic with the Bears Dinner at 5:30, Brown Bag Bingo at 8pm and finals of the Most Huggable Contest at 10, finals of the strip poker at 11pm, Boxers Dance party 12 midnight - 3am and Late nite rooms at 1am.
It was another late night for us, Sunday concluded everything with a Farewell Brunch & Gift exchange at 12 noon. We are currently here in the hotel till 4pm and then will be heading back east, 5:25pm flight to BWI, we should be back in the Harrisburg area by 9pm this evening.
Richcub2002 and myself strongly recommend attending this bear run. We would classify it as being one of the best ones that we have attended. Everything was held right here at the hotel, there were a total 420 registered for the weekend and the hotel was completely 100% bears, no outside guest.
We will definitely be making this bear run in 2007, anyone else want to join us?
We got off the plane and made our way to baggage claim, Once we got to baggage claim we only had to wait 10 min for the luggage. After getting the luggage, we turned around and there was Max and John (Mr. Bear Toronto) waiting for us. Made our way outside to curbside and waited for the hotel shuttle.
Got to the hotel at 11:40 and of course we had to wait a hour for our room to be ready, so we decided to get check in for the bear run and then headed to the bar for a few drinks.
This weekend was fantastic!!! The schedule was full of events, very well planned. Only down-slope of the weekend was that the run was held at the Clarion Hotel and the hotel had no restaurant. Closest food place was Denny's about 1 mile away. Damn, wish we would have gotten a rental car. But we ordered in chinese. Hmmm Very Good.
The run started out on Friday at 5pm with a Meet n Greet/Pool Party, vendor mall opened at 6pm and then there was a Pizza Party. Most Huggable Bear Contest was at 10pm, Cocktail and Strip Poker Tournament at Midnight, Dance Party at midnight and of course the Late night rooms opened at 1am. Richcub2002 entered the Huggable Bear contest after some persuasion from myself, Max and John. Max and I were 2 of the 5 judges for the contest. Also one of the judges was Big Dog Steve from Sirius Talk Show "Bear Talk Radio". There were a total of 17 contestants, with only 4 of them advancing to the finals on Sat.
Well once the discovery came about that there was a judge and a contestant whom was partners, that contestant was disqualified. Hmmm, I wonder who that contestant was?
We finally got to bed at about 4:30am Sat morning. Woke up at 9am for breakfast. Sat was another fun filled day of activities. Starting with the Eye-Opener w/Donuts and Coffee at 8:30, Vendor Market at 10am, Day trip to Indianapolis Speedway Museum, Pool Party and Sat afternoon Matinee at 12 noon. Picnic with the Bears Dinner at 5:30, Brown Bag Bingo at 8pm and finals of the Most Huggable Contest at 10, finals of the strip poker at 11pm, Boxers Dance party 12 midnight - 3am and Late nite rooms at 1am.
It was another late night for us, Sunday concluded everything with a Farewell Brunch & Gift exchange at 12 noon. We are currently here in the hotel till 4pm and then will be heading back east, 5:25pm flight to BWI, we should be back in the Harrisburg area by 9pm this evening.
Richcub2002 and myself strongly recommend attending this bear run. We would classify it as being one of the best ones that we have attended. Everything was held right here at the hotel, there were a total 420 registered for the weekend and the hotel was completely 100% bears, no outside guest.
We will definitely be making this bear run in 2007, anyone else want to join us?