question about "bearfest" in Aug 2005

**phil h** · 2nd January 05, 09:47 AM

anyone know for sure about the meeting in vancouver this Aug?
need time dates etc.
and some decent places to stay
motels, hotles etc.
thanx 8)

**Raphael** · 2nd January 05, 11:49 AM

I Can't tell you about the exact dates, but I can help you or anyone with the hotel/motel.

I would advise everyone to stay in Burnaby. There are plenty of decent hotels/motels and the location is very central. It is close to most public transportations and is only 20 minutes away from Downtown.

If there is a big group of you guys are coming over, perhaps we can get everyone a group discount. Let me know, because the group discount can be just a phone call away. Who ever is interseted can PM me. Please advice me on how much you guys want to spend as well.

If the group is large enough, would you guys be interseted in a organised tour of Vancouver as well?

**Jewddha** · 2nd January 05, 12:12 PM

Is there any other sort of information about it? Because I'm interested, but this is all I've heard.

**phil h** · 2nd January 05, 12:15 PM

thanx Raphael
now all we need is "bearfest" t-shirts

**Raphael** · 2nd January 05, 12:36 PM

If you guys are into Outdoor Activiaties, Bring your out door gears. Here are a list of stuff that BC people like to do during the summer Months:

Mountain Biking - Lots of Mountains and Trails here and Whistler is only 1.5 hour away
Road Cycling
Hiking - Lots of mountains/trails here
Golf - There are plenty of golf courses in Vancouver
Kayak - Can be rented out here
Scuba Diving - I can make my wife to show you the dive sites and make a day trip out of it. I am sure equipments can be arranged as well
Shopping - that's what I have been told by many people
Fishing - I don't know where, but I can find out
Corn Mazes
Firework

**bear** · 2nd January 05, 01:34 PM

I'm working on the itinerary for The Gathering.

I want to nip 'Bearfest' in the bud. The 5 or 6 events will be part of the larger festival, The Gathering.

Bearfest could be mistaken for being a part of the gay pride festival the prior week. While I'm considering setting up a booth at the pride fest, I'd like to keep the two events seperate.

All of the events will be taking place in the first two weeks of August, 2005.

**Hamish** · 2nd January 05, 03:40 PM

Now then, chaps, this is beginning to get confusing! We apparently have two separate threads running on this topic. Can we request Hank to move them both together perhaps - under 'Kilt Nights' (I cannot think of a more appropriate section)?

The other one has developed from my posting of a photo in the 'Show Us Your Pics' section.

It seems like this is going to be a pretty big event. At first I thought I was coming over to Vancouver just for the Kilts Night on August 6th!

Terry, I know it seems a little premature, but could you indicate start and end dates for the 'festivities'? I've not begun to check out the airlines, but if I planned to fly over on Monday 1st August and to fly back on Sunday 14th, would I miss any events? If I did it would really hurt!

Many thanks.

**phil h** · 2nd January 05, 03:49 PM

so is that a NO to the "bearfest" t-shirts then?
ham, what is the reference to show us your pics?
I don't see two theads

**Hamish** · 2nd January 05, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by phil h

.................................................. ................ham, what is the reference to show us your pics?
I don't see two theads

Phil, it has begun to develop under my posting "My Meeting with Bikercelt", and the photo of the two of us at Gatwick Airport!

**Alan H** · 2nd January 05, 03:59 PM

Bear is right. The term "bear" has a very specific meaning in the gay men's community. If there's a gay mens community fair or gathering of some sort happening anywhere near the same time, it would be good to not confuse the two things! Vancouver has a very large and very vibrant gay community, centered around the West End.

I used to go to Vancouver now and again when I worked for a Canadian UNIX operating system training company, and I love the city. If you have the time, start a walk in the West End, and go right 'round Stanley Park. Wear good walking shoes! It'll take 4hours or so. Walk around Stanley Park, go under the bridge and then along the Bay and down the Creek to Granville Island. There are number of good pubs on Granville island. The Vancouver Maritime Museum is on the south shore (not on the island) and is a nice place to visit, too. Ditto for the Stanley Park Aquarium.

Take the ferry over to Nanaimo if you can, that's a great way to get out on the water. Take binoculars. With any luck at all you'll see orcas and bald eagles, when you get near Nanaimo.

Alan