Northeast Ursamen Reveal Schedule of Events for Spooky Bear Weekend
Halloween is right around the corner and one of the bear community’s favorite ways to celebrate is to head back out to Provincetown for Spooky Bear Weekend.
It’s a great way to see P-Town during the off season which, as you can imagine, is a far cry from the bustling seaside resort town we’ve become accustomed to by attending events like Bear Week and Carnival. The streets are quieter, and the weather is much cooler which helps to create such a unique vibe when coupled with the city’s vast and (haunted) history. It truly is the perfect Halloween weekend getaway. Add bears, shows and parties to the mix and you have yourself a guaranteed good time!
Lovingly curated by the Northeast Ursamen, Spooky Bear has continued to grow in popularity through the years, and this year is no different, as bears from the world over prepare to return to Provincetown for one last magical weekend before settling into hibernation.
To find out what we can expect from this year’s festivities we are joined by Dave Greenberg, the President of the Northeast Ursamen. Dave joined the Northeast Ursamen in September of 2017 and became the organization’s Events Coordinator, a role he served in for one term. From there he became the group’s president and is about to embark on his third term in that position. Check out our conversation below and get all the details on this year’s event while checking out photos from last year’s festivities!
John Hernandez (JH): Hi David! Thanks for joining me. Tell me, what can attendees expect from Spooky Bear 2024?
David Greenberg (DG): Attendees of Spooky Bear 2024 can look forward to an action-packed weekend brimming with dance parties including the costume ball on Saturday night, the Spooky Bear Marketplace, bingo, and performances. This bear event offers a wide range of activities, including lively tea dances, drag shows from your favorite Ptown queens as well as Rupaul’s Drag Race Queens, spooky haunted house tours, and the “Say Ghoul” Drag Brunch sponsored by the Crown & Anchor. From October 31 to November 3, 2024, bears, cubs, otters, and their admirers are invited to gather for a fun-filled celebration of community and camaraderie.
JH: How long has Spooky Bear been in existence? Who created it and why?
DG: Spooky Bear has been a popular Halloween event for almost two decades, created by the Northeast Ursamen as part of the broader bear community events in New England. It was originally created for the membership of the Northeast Ursamen, however it has evolved into the event you see today. Spooky Bear brings together people for a spooky, fun, and welcoming weekend in Provincetown. The event has become a staple for the bear community, celebrating diversity and inclusion.
JH: What is the schedule of events this year?
DG: We’ve got so many exciting events lined up!
Thursday:
Halloween Tea Dance at The Boatslip 4pm
Halloween Bar Crawl
Hokus Pokus Live! at the Art House with Ginger Minj 8pm
Friday:
Loving Our Bear Bodies at Outermost Yoga presented by Freddy and Jay Freeman 10am and 1pm Sessions
The Haunted Tea Dance at The Boatslip 4pm
Official Spooky Bear Meet and Greet at the Crown & Anchor at 6pm
Hokus Pokus Live! at the Art House with Ginger Minj 8pm
Nightmares: Heros and Villans Dance Party 9pm-1am
Saturday:
Loving Our Bear Bodies at Outermost Yoga presented by Freddy and Jay Freeman 10am and 4pm Sessions
Spooky Bear Marketplace at The Boatslip 10am-2:30pm
Art’s Dune Tours 1pm-3pm $33 per person – Call Art’s Dune Tours Directly.
Bingo for a Cause! A fundraiser for the Provincetown Food Pantry at The Crown & Anchor 2pm-4:30pm
Hokus Pokus Live! at the Art House with Ginger Minj 8pm
Nightmares Costume Ball and Costume Contest with cash prizes at The Crown & Anchor 9pm-1am
Sunday:
“Say Ghoul” Drag Brunch in the Restaurant at the Crown & Anchor 11am and 1pm seatings.
Check the Northeast Ursamen website for ticket link information which is coming soon: www.ursamen.org/spooky-bear-2024
JH: Is there a theme for the weekend?
DG: The theme for Spooky Bear 2024, “Nightmares,” invites attendees to dive into the dark, eerie world of their most haunting dreams. From spine-chilling creatures to terrifying scenarios, the theme encourages participants to unleash their imagination and bring their worst nightmares to life through creative costumes and shows! This spooky celebration will transform Provincetown into a realm of ghoulish delights, where horror meets fun in an unforgettable Halloween experience. Expect everything from sinister visuals to macabre surprises as “Nightmares” takes center stage, offering a thrilling backdrop for all the weekend’s festivities.
JH: Amazing!! I can’t wait to see it. Anything else you’d like to mention?
DG: Spooky Bear is truly a collaborative effort each year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of the Board of Directors. Isaac Barber, our Director of Events, has been instrumental in leading the team responsible for making Spooky Bear a reality. His contributions are invaluable to both the organization and the event itself. Additionally, there are many other dedicated individuals who play crucial roles in ensuring every detail is carefully curated.
We are deeply grateful to our partners in Provincetown, who not only host us year after year but also provide the venues and invaluable support for our promotional efforts, helping to ensure Spooky Bear’s continued success. Special thanks to The Crown & Anchor (onlyatthecrown.org), The Boatslip (theboatslip.com), The Provincetown Business Guild (ptown.org), The Provincetown Office of Tourism (ptowntourism.com) Art’s Dune Tours (artsdunetours.com), and Outermost Yoga (outermostyoga.com) for their continued support and partnership in bringing this incredible event to life!
For additional information check the official Northeast Ursamen website. Ticket sales will begin soon!
