Bearrison’s Bold Vision: An Interview with Executive Director Erik Greenfrost
Get ready to celebrate with San Francisco’s Bearrison Street Fair! In a city known for its vibrant queer culture and fearless self-expression, the fair has quickly become a standout event, celebrating the bear community and its allies with unapologetic joy.
As the event gears up for its fifth anniversary, we sat down with Erik Greenfrost, a founding organizer and Executive Director, to talk about the fair’s origins, what makes it so important, and what’s in store for this year’s epic celebration.
Richard Jones: Hi there Erik tell us a little about yourself.
Erik Greenfrost: I’m the genderqueer (any/all pronouns), and one of the founding organizers and the Executive Director of the Bearrison Street Fair. I grew up in Michigan but have called San Francisco home for over 15 years. I’ve always been passionate about queer nightlife, community-building, and creating spaces where people of all body types, genders, and identities can come together to celebrate who they are—loudly and proudly. A former college professor, I’m now the Executive Director of Senior and Disability Action, a small nonprofit that mobilizes and educates seniors and people with disabilities to fight for individual rights and social justice.
RJ: How did you get involved in the Bearrison Street Fair?
EG: Bearrison was born out of a dream to create a bold, body-positive, inclusive street fair that centers queer joy—especially within the bear community and our allies. San Francisco had lost some of our quintessential queer events—International Bear Rendezvous, Pink Saturday, Halloween in the Castro. Reflecting on this with my co-founder, Sister Desi Juana Dewitt, we worked closely with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Bears of San Francisco to bring the first Bearrison to life in 2021. Since then, I’ve stayed deeply involved as the event has grown into something bigger, wilder, and more beautiful than we could’ve imagined.
Photo by Gooch
RJ: What’s important to you about the event?
EG: At its heart, Bearrison is about celebrating queer identity without apology. It’s not just a street fair—it’s a love letter to our community. We center body diversity, self-expression, kink-positivity, and intergenerational queer connection. This is a space where you don’t have to fit into any mold—just come as you are, be seen, and be celebrated. Especially in today’s political climate, we think it’s more important than ever to be out, proud, visible, and joyful.
RJ: What are the highlights of the 2025 event?
EG: This year’s Bearrison Street Fair is our 5 th anniversary and is shaping up to be our biggest celebration yet. A few 2025 highlights:
● Main stage performances from queer icons like Chris Conde, Peter Angelo, Malleous, Alfons Muller, Grace Towers, and the boys of BALONEY.
● XL Art Gallery returns with large 10’ x 8’ digitized art banners celebrating bear and LGBTQ+ communities through immersive, sexy, and visually captivating works that promote diverse artists.
● The Deadlift Competition and Full Queer Wrestling are back and brawnier than ever. The lifting and grappling are going to be epic!
● And, of course, the legendary Twerking, Bead and Mustache, and FLEX Bicep Contests are open to anyone bold enough to strut their stuff.
Full details are up now at bearrison.org!
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RJ: Why should we all come to the event?
EG: Because Bearrison is San Francisco queer culture at its finest—bold, beautiful, weird, sexy, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community. Whether you’re a bear, a cub, a queen, a pup, a drag nun, a glitter-covered unicorn, or somewhere in between—you are Welcome. It’s a space to celebrate who you are and connect with people who get it. Plus: live performances, amazing outfits, carnival games, tons of vendors, unique entertainment, and endless eye candy? Yes, please.
RJ: Please highlight some key people or businesses supporting this year’s event.
EG: We’re incredibly grateful to the organizations, businesses, and individuals who keep Bearrison alive and thriving:
● The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Bears of San Francisco – Our co- presenters and spiritual stewards of joy and mischief.
● Lazy Bear Fund – best known for producing Lazy Bear Week, the Fund is a non- profit organization dedicated to creating unforgettable events that support meaningful causes.
● San Francisco Grants for the Arts – provides operating support for arts and culture organizations.
● Gun Oil and Sweaty Johnson – valued sponsors helping us keep things sexy.
● BEARPAD – local queer artists whose goal is to celebrate big queer bodies in many forms, this year with some gigantic decorations!
● Photos by Gooch – our resident photographer who has helped us capture amazing memories from our inception.
● And the volunteers who show up with heart, glitter, and hustle—Bearrison wouldn’t exist without you. Signups are open here! We’ll see you in the streets on Saturday, September 21st, 2025—come be part of something truly special.
Visit bearrison.org for all the latest updates!
