Amidst all the toil and upheaval of normal events in 2020, a seed of inspiration and ambition was planted in the minds of Lincoln and Hope Young. Attendees of their local annual renaissance festival and disappointed in its cancellation that year they decided to host a festival of their own. With the help of some local (and not so local) bears the plans for the first annual Midwest Bear Fest were formed. Over the next few months planning, designing and scheduling took place. This three day family friendly, renaissance inspired, bear fest would be of legendary proportion that no bear had ever seen before. Though it did not come without challenges, all expectations of this festival were met, some would even say expectations were exceeded.
The first day of the event was Friday, October 8 though many legends and crushers arrived the day before to set up camp in Serenity Valley Farm’s spacious fields. Tenters and RV campers alike claimed their spaces and enjoyed a long weekend of camping at this festival. HankBear was the camp host and he helped direct campers to ideal spots where they set up camp. The torrential down pour that Fridays weather brought us was unexpected. While everyone’s tents stayed dry some vehicles got stuck in the mud. Many said that the kind of rain we all witnessed hadn’t been seen in that area for countless years. The main event tent and vendor market field got completely flooded. The 5K race took place an hour late and in the pouring rain but none of this dampened the spirits of the bears. We knew we were being tested, that with all the good this festival would bring some push back from the adversary was expected. Despite the weather many legends rose to the occasion and dug trenches to drain the field, the young Cubs made a game of it and spent many hours digging the trenches deeper and longer, Farming Artist Bear and the Backwoods Bears cranked out lunch and dinner while vendors were moved to the barn and LegacyTruths Bear played his guitar and sang. Friday afternoon brought beautiful sunshine, calmer weather and a spectacular view over the corn field. The pyrotechnic delta force team got to work on the fireworks show for Saturday and a pre-baked pie contest was held. By the time nightfall came families and friends new and old returned to the camping field and enjoyed camaraderie around the various camp fires.
Saturday morning brought beautiful weather and the Men’s Homestead Games! Tug of war, push-ups, log throw, 4-way chess, chicken wrangling, fire starting and an obstacle course that each team epically crushed for this event. But there could only be one winning team the aptly named “Absolute Crushers” took the title. Farming Artist Bear and team Backwoods Bears crushed it yet again providing made to order breakfast, lunch and dinner. Amy’s music garden was a wonderful music hour for the children with games and instruments for all. Special demonstrations about knife smithing from Bladesmith Bear, trapping and tracking from Civilized Savage bear and bee keeping from Farming Artist Bear were held for those who wanted to learn new skills. A seed swap hosted by Beartaria Seed Saver’s own Copper Bear and a shield painting contest were held. Bears bought shields from Woodshop Bear, painted them and brought them to the fest to be judged. Other special events were held such as kids crafts, face painting and a costume contest for all ages! The only thing capable of topping a legendary day like this was…fireworks.
AJ Rhino Bear and his Delta Force pyro squad were hard at work all day missing out on the festivities while setting up for a not soon forgotten pyrotechnic musical show of epic proportions. If you thought the Forth of July Crushfest was the best fireworks display you had ever seen, Midwest Bear Fest’s show would have blown you away! Even those who doubted that Rhino and his crew could surpass past experiences couldn’t get over the legendary spectacle. Strategically choreographed to BB streams and Anchor Bear music, Rhino and the Delta Force pyro squad did not disappoint. The shouts of “Beartaria” from adult to child alike ringing through the night air, mid show, like a triumphant victory call brought tears to the eyes of even the most stoic of bears. The energy the show created was palpable and the resulting buzz was the topic of discussion for days and weeks to come.
The third and final day was welcomed by some more beautiful weather, a lovely morning of prayer and a speech of gratitude for all of Hope and Lincoln’s hard work. It was a day of relaxation, packing and good byes. Though some stayed an extra day most packed up their camp and headed home. The last day is always the hardest, saying goodbye to old friends who you met for the first time is never easy. But the bond is strengthened by an event such as this. For as dismal as the start of the event seemed spirits soared and positivity flowed. The energy was carried throughout the weekend and still flows for many of us. We are all looking forward to the next Midwest Bear Fest!
