PHOTOS: Bears, otters, and cubs strip down to their pelts at Provincetown Bear Week

Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier

Bears, wolves, cubs, otters, and their admirers spent a furry and fabulous week in Provincetown, MA for Provincetown Bear Week, July 8-15, 2023. One of the largest celebrations for the Bear community in the world, Ptown Bear Week was filled with live entertainment, dance nights, BBQs, pool parties, and more. 

Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier

In 2001 historian and local resident John Burrows founded the Provincetown Bears and Provincetown Bear Week. What started as a gathering of a few hundred grew to an annual event attracting over 10,000 people. John Burrows was a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and causes and was integral to Bear Week’s success.

Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier

John passed away in May of this year, and the Provincetown Business Guild and the Crown & Anchor along with Bearmania, Red Room, and other Provincetown venues and businesses continued John’s legacy.

Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier

Bear Week events included the Otter Pop Pool Party featuring DJ TDon and go-go otters, BEACH(ED) – the Crown & Anchor’s first Bear Week Beach Party – featuring DJ GSP and hosted by Big Dipper, the annual Weiner Roast and Pool Party at the Brass Key Guest House hosted by Eureka O’Hara, the annual, and always hot, Firemen’s Ball and the Bear Vendor Fair: Bear Market.

Provincetown Bear Week attendees at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendee
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Provincetown Bear Week attendees
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Provincetown Bear Week attendees
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Provincetown Bear Week attendees
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Provincetown Bear Week attendee
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Provincetown Bear Week attendees
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party DJs at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendees
photo by Trevor Pittinger
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Otter Pop Pool Party attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendees at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendees at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendees at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week DJ at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Provincetown Bear Week attendees at Crown & Anchor
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Camp Pool Party & Bear Market attendees at Provincetown Bear Week
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) DJ at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendee at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendee at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Beach(ed) attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
Firemen's Ball attendees at Crown & Anchor in Provincetown
photo by Robert Bardelmeier
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