Producer and coordinator Shane Tate presented the fifth annual Fire Island Bear Weekend, in Cherry Grove and the Pines, from June 6 to 9, and the centerpiece was the Mr. Fire Island Bear contest, at Cherry’s, on June 8, which was won by Eugene, who hails from Melbourne, Australia, and now lives in New York City. Hosts for the competition were Ginger Snap, attended by faithful puppy Bandit, and Mr. Fire Island Bear 2017 Danny Jimenez, who is also Mr. New York Unlimited Bear 2018. Queen Susan Levine served as DJ. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Effie and Domina were on hand to bless the proceedings, showering glitter on the assembled.
The hosts asked Eugene about his agenda as Mr. FI Bear and his response was to raise more money for homeless LGBTQ youth. Asked further what he would do, after screaming like a girl, if chosen Mr. FI Bear, he said, “Accessorize my crown.” Contestants were judged on bar wear and fetish wear and had to sell raffle tickets during the weekend, with the winning tickets drawn after the contest.
Contenders for the title beside Eugene were Damon, Chris, and Rick. Judges were Mr. Rockbear 2019 Kory Harmon; Mr. Eagle NYC Leather 2018 Joseph Macchia; leatherwear designer Syluss Afano; Mr. FI Bear 2018 Ted Bishop, stepping down that night and sashing his successor; and FI Pines’ Gil Neary. The tally judge was Pup Sparky T. Fluffbutt.
Ginger’s numbers during the evening were “This Is Me,” from the film “The Greatest Showman;” “Proud Mary,” with three audience members assisting in the dance; Drag Suicide, with Danny, lip-synching and dancing to songs chosen at random by the DJ; a near-total on-stage striptease and climactic sing-along of “We Are Family.”
Other events of Bear Weekend were an opening “Beers and Bears Dance,” at Cherry’s, with Ted Bishop as DJ; Friday afternoon “Bear-Ass Tea & Pool Party” at clothing-optional Belvedere, with Jonny Mack as DJ; Saturday afternoon clothing-optional pool party in the Pines; and post-contest Brut party, at the Ice Palace, with DJs Dan Darlington and Aaron Aanenson.
Watch for information about Fire Island Bear Weekend 2020 at www.FireIslandBearWeekend.com .