Belfast Bearfest auction to end season

BELFAST – As Indian summer ushers in fall’s colorful magic, the Belfast Bearfest is making the closing sprint to its season-ending celebration.

The Bearfest, a festive display of fiberglass bears decorated, embellished, adorned and painted by Maine artists, draws to a close on Saturday, Oct. 20, when the bears are put up for auction.

The auction will be held at the Boat House at Steamboat Landing on the city’s waterfront. Proceeds from the auction will benefit local charities.

The bears of Belfast have been drawing visitors ever since they took over the city’s streets in June. Their popularity is such that it’s become a safe bet that when travelers return home from their summer visit to Maine, among the photographs they pass around are bound to be a few of the family posing with the Bearfest bears.

Before they head out to the auction, the colorful group of bears is out prowling the city’s streets, sidewalks, trees, telephone poles and waters. Every bear is awaiting final visits from all those who enjoy family-oriented fun and a brisk walk through the historic streets of Belfast, Mayor Michael Hurley said Saturday.

Along with many thousands of tourists, the bears also have found friends among those who live nearby. In recent weeks, the city has seen an influx of Maine schoolchildren walking its streets as the artworks of the Belfast Bearfest have been added to the state’s list of educational field trips.

In extending an invitation to all across the state to visit the bears, Hurley noted that a tour of the bears could be a great way to spend a few hours strolling around Waldo County’s shiretown. Until the auction, the bears will be at home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said.

“We invite everyone to come to Belfast,” said Hurley. “Kids don’t need to be sitting around with their parents watching television seven days a week. They need to get out, and Belfast is a nice day trip from anywhere in Maine.”

The Bearfest has bears to suit many tastes and interests. Stamp collectors will enjoy General Delivery bear, dressed from head to paw in stamps and hanging out in front of the Belfast Post Office.

For those who ever have wound up at the end of Lonely Street, a stroll by the window of Darby’s Restaurant downtown will bring them face to face with He’ll Always Be My Teddy Bear, one artist’s tribute to the King, Elvis Presley.

Across the street and up a tree is ArBEARist, found among the limbs of a pine tree at the Belfast American Legion.

Down by the Belfast waterfront a lot of fishy bears are hanging out, including Aurora Bearialis, keeping an eye on all who ply the waters from its perch in a dinghy; Bearielle, the Passy Merbear and Artemisia who have taken up positions on the city dock; and Buoy Bear, celebrating the Maine lobster industry.

Some of the city’s bears like to keep on the move and the sight of an empty log downtown means it’s likely that a bear has wandered over to the east side of town and is sniffing around the Maine Chowder House or Perry’s Nut House. And then there’s Morning Bear, who hasn’t gotten out of its pj’s all summer. It has a permanent home at the Belfast Harbor Inn.

Last year’s Bearfest auction raised almost $20,000 for local charities, and the bears fully expect to exceed that amount this year. Fewer than four weeks remain before the bears leave Belfast for their new lairs around the country. After the Oct. 20 auction, the bears will be no more. For information on how to bid on the bears call 338-1975 or check out the Bearfest Web site at belfastbearfest.com.