An army of chocolate Christmas bears Aberdeen, Washington

From the Clayton News-Letter , Aug. 15, 1912. It is unusual to find local cartoonists published in weekly newspapers in any era. Paul Week...

Morty Comix # 2638 was tucked behind a sign warning campers about bears at a campground site in Grayland, Washington.

The kiddie ride of TERROR!!!

"Al Niemela and his bear SCRATCH have been together since 1971. The two, based at Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, Washington, give publ...

Please dispose of all food & containers on account of the bears Sou'wester, Seaview, Washington

Volunteers in the community kitchen preparing the bear stew. Seriously. McCleary Bear Festival , McCleary, Washington

Teddy Bear Mugshot

Morty Comix # 2328 left in a freebie weekly newspaper box in McCleary, Washington

McCleary, Washington

The wooden bear on top of McCleary City Hall, carved out with a chain saw 50 years ago. The bear is known by several names, including "...

A bipolar bear

Found these drawings in a giant newsprint pad as I am cleaning out my studio. Probably made about 1989-1990 with my daughter.

Dismantling the Bear Festival The tables where bear stew had been consumed are now empty The carnival rides are being packed up

A spot where a bear had recently spent the night, judging by the pattern on the grass. The Pig Lot , McCleary, Washington

A farewell to the original community kitchen used for cooking the bear stew for the McCleary Bear Festival. From 1986 to 1994 I lived in a h...

Actually the short answer for how the McCleary Bear Festival developed this bizarre culinary sideshow probably had something to do with this...

Most of the people who attended this event in 1987 are now gone. And today I've become one of the old-timers.