Texas Bear Round-Up 28: The Roaring 20’s; What to Expect, Plus a Look Back at Last Year
Texas Bear Round-Up 28: The Roaring 20’s, presented by the Dallas Bears will be taking place March 21st through 24th and we have all the details!
TBRU returns for its astonishing twenty-eighth iteration this March, once again being hosted at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, Texas. However, for the first time since being held at the Hyatt, the event has officially SOLD OUT the entire property during peak nights of the event, but fret not fellas! The Dallas Bears have struck up a deal with the Holiday Inn Express, literally across the street from the Hyatt, to serve as the official overflow hotel. The famous TBRU shuttle buses will service both properties, so attendees need not worry about how to get to and from the ‘gayborhood’ regardless of which hotel they’re staying in.
It’s no surprise that TBRU continues to grow year after year. It is one of the biggest and best organized bear runs out there, put on the amazing Dallas Bears who definitely know how to put on a party (we know from personal experience). While the official schedule is not yet finalized we can confirm the return of the First Timers Meet & Greet, the Black, Asian and Latino Bear receptions, the kick-off party & costume contest (this year’s theme being the Roaring 20’s), Deaf bear socials, Naughty Bear Bingo, the enormous vendor market, and the legendary Texas-sized Hospitality Suite where you can get your drink and boogie on nightly. The cornerstone events are also returning which include Family Dinner on Saturday night followed by the Mr. TBRU Contest and the Farewell Texas BBQ & Closing Ceremony at the Round-Up Saloon followed by ‘Church’ at the Hidden Door. All this and more is covered in your basic run pass. VIP upgrades are already sold out.
There are of course add-ons to the event which include the Saturday evening show with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Darienne Lake and the Friday night BearDance at S4 which will feature as of yet unannounced DJs and performers. Excursions to the Dallas Farmers Market, Uptown Dallas, the AT&T Stadium, the Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark and Club Dallas (the ‘spa’) are also available for purchase.
Don’t forget, TBRU is a party with a purpose. Funds raised at the BEARDANCE, from the raffle and the underwear auction at the Mr. TBRU contest go towards local charities in and around Dallas.
For more information or to buy run passes check out the TBRU website.
And while we wait for this year’s festivities to begin, check out our firsthand recap of last year’s event TBRU 27: 7 Deadly Sins below.
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TBRU 27 is officially in the books, and what a time it was! Check out our event and photo recap below.
Texas Bear Round-Up 27: 7 Deadly Sins, which took place from March 16th-20th at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, was the biggest Round-Up yet! Hosted and organized by the Dallas Bears, the event featured an incredible schedule of events and activities. Bears from all over the world gathered in the Lone Star state to celebrate bears, brotherhood and the hirsute of happiness! (See what I did there?!)
This was my second time attending TBRU and like the first time, I was amazed by everyone’s friendliness and gladdened by the diversity of the attendees. Inclusion is something clearly valued at this event and I’m happy to see it. All types of bodies were proudly on display and of course the bears were gorgeous to behold.
There were activities for everyone and every interest including traditional favorites like the BearDance on Friday Night at S4. This year’s theme was Angels & Demons and the boys came out in droves to dance to the beats of Thunderpuss and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race star Gottmik perform. Saturday night we had the beloved TBRU Family Dinner which was followed up by the Mr. TBRU Contest and Underwear Auction for Charity. Bold and beautiful contestants competed as either an Admirer, Cub or Bear, with the overall winner being proclaimed Mr. TBRU.
The event also featured the legendary TBRU Hospitality Suite, which is an enormous, converted ballroom where the music was pumping, and pass holders were treated to drinks and snacks until late into the night. And of course, there was the closing BBQ lunch on Sunday at The Round-Up Saloon followed by ‘Church’ at The Hidden Door.
For those looking for non-bar or sober activities there were events like Guy Branum’s stand up show and the Vendor Market, which has to be the biggest I’ve ever seen at a bear run. There had to be over 50 vendors in attendance, selling everything from harnesses and sex toys to soap and fine art. I dropped a bundle, but I got some amazing stuff!
***Scenes from the TBRU Vendor Market. Photos Courtesy of James Davenport, Dallas Bears***
Besides that, there was also Bear Yoga, a Gaming Room, classes on Bear Roping, Naughty Bear Bingo, a Pet Play House, Classes on Pup Play, a Texas Food Tour, a Spa Excursion, a trip to the water park, special receptions for Black, Latino & Asian bears (and their friends), socials for deaf bears (with ASL interpreters also on hand at key events) and so much more.
James Davenport, TBRU 27 Producer and Social Events Director for the Dallas Bears, said: “This year was one of our most highly attended events to date with over 1900 guys in attendance! On behalf of the membership of the Dallas Bears and all of our local volunteers, thank you all for making Texas Bear Round-Up 27: 7 Deadly Sins a success! Join us next March for TBRU 28: The Roaring 20’s!”
TBRU, besides being a classic bear run, is meant to be fun for a cause. The event, in conjunction with the Dallas Bears and BearDance have donated over $1 million to the local LGBTQ+ community in Texas.
***Scenes from the TBRU 27: 7 Deadly Sins. Photos Courtesy of James Davenport, Dallas Bears***
Stay up to date with TBRU news on their official website & on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (where you can see even more photos from the event!)
