"Al Niemela and his bear SCRATCH have been together since 1971. The two,
based at Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, Washington, give public
performances during the summer months. Scratch, the star of such movies
as, 'The Bears and I' with Patrick Wayne and 'Joy Ride' with Desi Arnez
Jr., began appearing at the McCleary Bear Festival in 1983. Scratch is
the first live bear to appear and perform at the festival held in
McCleary, Washington."
