While the toned and hairless circuit boys may rule the magical, uber-queer mecca of Provincetown, MA during the week around July 4th, the next week the ferries carried a whole other subspecies into the port: bears, otters, cubs, and chasers, for the Provincetown Bears’ annual Provincetown Bear Week!
Bear Week, which took place from July 13-21st this year, has become one of the artsy Cape Cod town’s most massive, popular events. And while a few grousing fur-phobic twinks could be spotted along the Commercial Street strip, many families and tourists adored the hirsute crowd.
There was tons of fun to be had (I swear, I’m doing my best to avoid puns here) between the daily afternoon tea dance at The Boatslip – themes and dress codes included singlets, sarongs, and solid gold – Ptown editions of international bear/alternative parties like Bob Mould & Richard Morel’s Blowoff, Fag Bash, and the UK’s Horse Meat Disco, engagements by author Armistead Maupin and musician Matt Alber, screenings of the Provincetown-set film BearCity 2 and readings of its new spinoff book, BearCity: The Novel, a mass wedding, a bear market for ursine-themed everything and webisode series Where The Bears Are swag, a nightly migration to pizza joint Spiritus for last call pizza and cruising, and much more. Plus all sorts of celeb-bear-ties were in town, like Andrew Sullivan and his actor hubby Aaron Tone, and hairy cosplayer, Queer Donna.
Enjoy our sample of the sights and scene!
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nycbearman
I just got back and this best bear week ever! Great pics. This site needs more bears. 🙂
stanhope
I love this event. Kudos to the organizers who put this together. While I was not there, I appreciate the pics posted and it looks like everybody had one hell of a great time!
mpwaite
Bear Weekend is truly an amazing time! Bears from all over the world get together and just act like big ol kids for a week. Several friends have tied the knot at P-Town during Bear Week surrounded by their very close friends; just a great time!!
lbmaine
My fourth trip to Bear Week. It just gets better and better! A great bunch of guys.