A Bear group in Rio Grande Valley, Texas hosts first Bear event, WOW!
A Bear group in a small border town in South Texas is holding its first event this month, and we just had to bring you the story!
It all started when founder Pedro Coronado decided that there was a need for a Bear group in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley area. “We’ve never had a Bear group in our area,” says Pedro. “The closest is a four to five hour drive away from us in either Houston or San Antonio.”
Pedro says he was inspired by the Bear groups in those areas to create his own chapter, and start a Bear group for the Bear community in South Texas. “ I wanted to create a safe space for our local bears and their admirers to meet up and build community,” said Pedro. “Like many other parts of the country, we are running out of safe spaces to meet.”
In the past few years, gay bars and clubs all over the world have been closing at a rapid pace. The pandemic left many of these spaces in even more financial trouble than they were before, forcing many of them to close in the past year. Now, more than ever, it’s important to continue to create spaces in the LGBTQ community.
“I started hosting monthly Bear mixers in the last three gays bars left in our area,’ says Pedro. “This way we have a ‘church’ to go to and support them financially as well. The goal is to make our group into a 501c 3 and raise money to give back to programs that will help out our aging LGBTQ community. The dream is to have a retirement community for us down here in South Texas.”
The group’s goal of creating safe spaces for both Bears and the aging LGBTQ community was the catalyst for creating the first big Bear event in the Rio Grande Valley area. “We have started to raise awareness about our group and get a little seed money for our club by putting on our very first weekend event at South Padre Island, Texas,” says Pedro.
The event is called Wet Oso Weekend (WOW), and it’s being held Sept 17-19, 2021 at the Upper Deck Hotel and Bar, the only LGBTQ+ hotel in South Texas.
WOW is an entire weekend dedicated to the Bear community and their admirers. The weekend will consist of pool parties, themed night parties, beach parties, contests and mixers, and will feature special guest DJs Marti Frieson and Joze.
The actual Bear-genda for the event is as follows:
Friday
- 2:00pm – 7:00pm Registration & Wristband Pick-up (Upper Deck)
- 2:00pm – 7:00pm Wet Oso Vendor Market
- 2:00pm – 9:00pm Caldo De Oso Pool Party (Upper Deck)
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm VIP Weekend Pass Mixer, Meet, & Greet (Upper Deck)
- 7:00pm – 8:00pm Susia Hour with Lady B (Hairy A** & Big Bulge Contest)
- 10:00pm – 2:00am Naughy Neon Night – DJ Joze
Saturday
- 11:00am – 3:00pm Bear Beach Party (Access 11 next to The Palms Café & Hotel)
- 2:00pm – 7:00pm Registration & Wristband Pick-up (Upper Deck)
- 2:00pm – 7:00pm Wet Oso Vendor Market
- 2:00pm – 9:00pm Caldo de Oso Pool Party (Upper Deck)
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm VIP Weekend Pass Mixer – (Upper Deck)
- 10:00pm – 2:00am Mastermind (Gear Night) – DJ Marti Frieson
Sunday
- 12:00pm – Late – Closing Pool Party
Hotel Reservation Information
The Host Hotel, The Upper Deck Hotel and Bar is currently sold out. The two overflow hotels, The Flamingo Hotel and The Palms Resort are still available.
Rooms at The Falmingo Hotel can be reserved by calling and using the reservation code REUNION. Rooms at The Palms Resort can be reserved by calling and using the reservation code: WOW.
Vaccine and COVID Updates
The event organizers are continuing to monitor CDC guidelines. For the safety of yourself and others, you are asked to bring your vaccination card, a picture of it, or a digital copy. WOW values your safety and is excited to move forward.
