BELLY UP TO BIG BEAR, BOYS!
BIG BEAR ADVENTURE III
Calling all bears within growling distance! Grab those scissors and start chopping sleeves off of flannel shirts but find a thermal that fits nicely, too! Weather at Big Bear Lake can be awfully unpredictable and with our summer here in Southern California having been unseasonably cool you’ll want to prepare accordingly. I also encourage you to download weather applications on your smartphones for the most current conditions. The networking app Scruff will help you narrow in on furry ones around you. But why is all of this vital information so important, you ask?!
The event of the year for the bear community is culminating in Big Bear Lake on August 25-29 and is aptly titled Big Bear Adventure III. The weekend brings in the hottest and most popular of the bears, cubs, retrosexuals, grizzlies, otters and nuBears around while promising all the mirth and girth one 
can stomach. Get it, stomach?! (Cue canned laughter.) I’ve always loved a man I can hold on to because smooth washboard abs are out while meaty torsos with fur are in. (Applause sign flashing.)
Even with busy schedules, event producer and publisher of A Bear’s Life magazine Steve O had a few moments to communicate with me about what the weekend meant to him personally and what someone could expect as an attendee. I thought getting his take on everything happening in his own words would bring some personal substance to the story and let people know a bit about him. When I asked him what people could really expect when going to the events and great parties, Steve O had this to say…
“Big Bear Adventure III weekend is not only an event, but a true vacation weekend for hundreds of men from all over the country and the world. The backdrop of Big Bear Lake and a city that welcomes us makes it a perfect place to party, eat. dance and enjoy the natural surroundings of the San Bernardino Mountains.”
“It’s a weekend one will never forget. The pool parties and dances are extraordinary. Palm Springs own DJ Chub Jim and the renown DJ Pete “Jester” Savas keep the men in high spirits all weekend. There are over 40 restaurants in the town that will keep the men well fed from Burger King to four star restaurants, ice cream shops and novelty candy shops. New friendships will be made and old friends will reunite. The Beer Boat Cruise on Big Bear Lake is also a highlight!”
“There are many single guys that come to the event, about 50% of the attendees. The event will support the Matthew Sheppard Foundation and even if someone wants to come up without having a weekend pass there will be day passes for those guys which can be purchased at each event. There are still many hotels and guest houses that are available. It’s a huge city!”
“I founded the event three years ago on a day trip to Big Bear and it’s the only Bear event in the would that takes place in a city with the name “Bear” in it! Last year over 847 men came to the event. There will be two prelude events. One in L.A. at MJs on the August 19th and one at the Ace Hotel on the 20th. The event is sponsored by PULP Magazine, Coors Light, Scruff, Diversity Platinum, Lover Bear Designs and MJs in L.A. I have been promoting events for 26 years and this is one of my favorite events.”
The event schedule begins as early as Thursday night on the 25th at a Meet and Greet at Chad’s Place which is mapped on the website http://bbaweekend.com as being two blocks from the host hotel the Northwoods Resort. A few rooms were still available there and at other lodging and hotels in the area. If you’re driving in from Palm Springs I encourage you to make your way out to Yucca Valley, turning left on Old Woman’s Road and driving it for a good hour before turning left on Camp Road taking you into Big Bear Lake. Gas up that car, grab the new Euro-Dance smash by The Two Bears called “A Bear Hug” off of iTunes and tell Miss Goldilocks to stay home minding the porridge that’s getting cold.
Early on Friday morning starting at 9 a.m. the bears and their admirers begin to really congregate in tribes of hair and fur balls of love will be registering at the hotel as cruising begins and men begin to take note of who is on their radar. The bears here in Palm Springs are all fired up and I hear over conversations that they are ready to experience Big Bear Adventure III. Many for the second and third times! Later on 
Friday evening there’s a Meet and Greet at the Northwoods Resort and a dance much later called “Let The Fur Fly” also happening at the host hotel.
Of course, entire schedules can be seen and printed off the website but on Saturday registration continues in the morning and leads into a Cool Chrome and Hot Bears Motorcycle event with a ride around the lake. If you’re not on a hog for the ride, surely the Pool Party and Booze Cruises will tempt you. Speedo? Box-cut swimsuit? Board shorts?! Take all three! By checking the schedule I see that there’s another hot dance party happening later Saturday evening called “A Night of Adventure in the Woods” with the hotel pool staying open until 2 a.m. Sounds seriously frisky and full o’frolic.
Sunday brings the major events to a grand finale for the weekend at a Pool Party with DJ Chub Jim spinning bearded dads and inked-up muscle cubs flagging until their heart’s content. The curtain call is the Farewell Beer Bust at Chad’s Place starting at 6 p.m. and going deep into midnight. To my bear brothers who will be making the trek up to Big Bear Lake for the parties and plan on having a good time, re-hydrate since you’ll be at a much higher altitude and wear that sunscreen and sun block, too! And be smart about what and who you do. Just saying.
In a recent issue of This Week magazine there was a timely piece about how to survive a bear encounter. The magazine tells us to be noisy and that bear attacks on humans are uncommon. (Cue layers of bear noises and a very meek “Help me!”) Stand tall keeping your arms down and look the bear in the eye while talking to them so they recognize you are human. Remember that motorcycle boots have a nice two-inch heel and a simple “Love the fur. Who does your nails?!” will do in a pinch. And finally, protect your face. The joke could write itself, no?! But seriously, if pepper-based bear spray isn’t in your possession fight back aggressively against black bears and drop to the ground like you’re dead during a grizzly attack. Bears go for the face and head so place your hands cupped behind your neck and protect your face with your forearms and elbows.
Have a good time and please post those delicious shirtless pictures when you return! Grrrrr!
2011 © PULP
WOOF!