The Southern Bears celebrate ‘Boots & Chaps’ at Atlanta Bear Festival July 4th weekend
After another successful run last year, the Southern Bears of Georgia would like to invite you to a bigger and better Bear run taking place in the heart of the southeast during this July 4th weekend. Welcome to the Atlanta Bear Festival!
The Atlanta Bear Festival (ABF) is back again with their annual Bear Run + Charity Event. Come join the Southern Bears for the 2023 July 4th weekend, and escape from everyday ordinary to leather and denim scene with ABF: Boots & Chaps, from July 1st, 2023 through July 4th, 2023.
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet hot and friendly local folks from around the world in Atlanta, with the “Friendliest Bear Club in the South.” The Southern Bears want everyone to be able to become familiar with the bear scene. Not a bear? Not a problem! Come as you are. As long as you’re friendly, fun and ready to have a ball (or two), you are more than welcome!
Most of the events take place at the ABF host hotel, Courtyard Atlanta Executive Park, where you can eat, drink, shop, party, play, and relax. In other words, where you can be you… A true Bear!
There will be many events taking place during the day, such as games and competitions around the pool, up-beat music, shopping at vendor booths, and trips to local restaurants. During the evening, there will be opportunities to take trips to local bars or parties where you can dance all night long, participate in competitions, or just kick back and relax at the host hotel. So go ahead, do as much as you want or as little as you wish!
Check out the tentative schedule of events below! (Schedule will be finalized as ABF 2023 approaches)
Schedule of Events
SATURDAY, JULY 1ST
| EVENTS | START | END |
| Registration Opens | 01:00PM | 05:00PM |
| Meet & Greet Pizza Party | 05:30PM | – |
| ABF Kick-off Party at The Eagle | 09:00PM | 03:00AM |
SUNDAY, JULY 2ND
| EVENTS | START | END |
| Registration Opens | 10:00AM | 04:00PM |
| Vendors Open | 11:00AM | – |
| Pool Party | 12:00PM | 04:00PM |
| VIP Lounge Open (VIP Wrist Band required) | 12:00PM | 04:00PM |
| Fruit Bar, Soft Drinks, & Iced Tea by the Pool | 01:00PM | – |
| Pool Games by the Pool | 02:00PM | – |
| ABF Cantina (VIP Wrist Band required) | 08:00PM | 10:00PM |
| Leather Party at The Eagle | 09:00PM | 03:00AM |
MONDAY, JULY 3RD
| EVENTS | START | END |
| Registration Opens | 10:00AM | 02:00PM |
| Vendors Open | 11:00AM | – |
| Pool Party | 12:00PM | 04:00PM |
| VIP Lounge Open (VIP Wrist Band required) | 12:00PM | 04:00PM |
| Soft Drinks & Iced Tea by the Pool | 01:00PM | – |
| Costume Contest (Leather & Denim) by the Pool | 02:00PM | – |
| ABF Photo Shoot by the Pool * | 04:00PM | 04:15PM |
| Raffle Drawing and Results | 04:30PM | – |
| Catered Buffet at Host Hotel (VIP Wrist Band required) | 06:00PM | – |
| ABF Cantina (VIP Wrist Band required) | 08:00PM | 10:00PM |
| Fairwell Party at The Eagle | 9:00PM | 3:00AM |
TUESDAY, JULY 4TH
| EVENTS | START | END |
| Breakfast Buffet ($5 VIP Wrist Band required) | 07:00AM | 10:00AM |
| Hotel Check Out | – | 11:00AM |
PLEASE NOTE: ABF Group Photo starts at 4:30 PM (afternoon) sharp by the pool.
Host Hotel
The host hotel for ABF 2023 will be the Courtyard Atlanta Executive Park, located at 1236 Executive Park Dr NE in Atlanta, Georgia. Most of the main events, such as registration, pool parties, meals, ABF Cantina, games, shops, VIP Lounge and more, will be held at the host hotel.
The Courtyard Atlanta Executive Park is located north of downtown Atlanta in the Executive Park Business Center. Located in the chic Buckhead area, the hotel features a new state-of-the-art lobby, which provides flexibility and choices where guests can work or relax, free Wi-Fi throughout and access to news, weather and airport conditions via the GoBoard.
The stylish guest rooms also include plush bedding, a flat screen TV and enhanced workspace with complimentary wireless internet to keep you productive. Our hotel offers two meeting rooms for small business and social events, an updated gym, and an outdoor seasonal pool.
To take part in the full event, book 3 nights for the event (7/01/2023 – 7/04/2023) or extend your stay for the same reduced rate.
ABF Special Event Reduced Room Rate:
- $117 for King bed or two Queen beds (per night) plus taxes & fees
- $137 for Suite (per night) plus taxes & fees
- Parking fee is included in the room rate.
TO MAKE A HOST HOTEL RESERVATION:
You can only make hotel reservations with the online booking system (available 24/7):
- CLICK HERE to reserve your room.
- Modify the “Check-in” & “Check-out” dates. For example, if you are interested in the full event, change the dates to 7/01/2023 thru 7/04/2023.
- If you want to book rooms for several days before or after the event at the same reduced price, you can do it directly on the webpage. Just modify the “Check-in” & “Check-out” dates accordingly.
- If you have any problems, you can call Bruce from BK Travel Agency LLC at (770) 865-3663
VIP Package
The ABF VIP Package is the full access pass for this event. With the VIP Package, you have full access to what ABF offers during this event, such as meals, drinks, open bars, run bag, pool parties with their DJ, and exclusive access to the VIP Lounge.
Make sure you secure your VIP Package as soon as you can, as the price will increase closer to the date of the event! The price of the VIP Package before June 30th is $119. After this and at the door, the price will go up to $139.
Important things to remember when purchasing a VIP Package are:
- ABF23 will be held from 7/1/2023 to 7/4/2023.
- VIP Package is refundable if canceled before 3/31/23 (minus $20 processing fee).
- Non refundable after 3/31/23.
- Please pick up your event packet during the event at ABF Registration Desk. Nothing will be mail out.
- Please select your t-shirt size (price included in VIP Run Package).
- Please make separate transactions for different t-shirt sizes.
- Don’t forget to book your hotel room.
To purchase your ABF 2023 VIP Package, visit www.atlantabearfest.com/tickets.html.
While having fun is the main objective of ABF 2023, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be shared with a community that is in need. ABF encourages you to open your arms and heart, and party on!
PLEASE NOTE: There are some crucial changes to ABF 2023. Make sure to check them out HERE.
About the Southern Bears
Southern Bears has been an active club for over 25 years in Atlanta. As a group, they plan many social activities throughout the year for the enjoyment of their members and their guests. They hold monthly movie days, dinners at various local retaurants, bar nights at The Eagle, as well as many other local events and festivals, such as taking part in the Atlanta Pride Parade.
Southern Bears is also proud to hold events to benefit various charities in the area, where they donate both our time as well as money. They like to plan enough events so that members can participate if and when they want and still feel like there are enough things they want to do as a group.
Join them for our events. They welcome guests at all club activities.
