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McCleary Bear Festival returns with real bear meat in stew

Published 6:30 pm Monday, July 12, 2021

By Dave Haviland

DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD McCleary Bear Festival royalty at the 62nd Annual Grand Parade.
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DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD

McCleary Bear Festival royalty at the 62nd Annual Grand Parade.

DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD McCleary Bear Festival royalty at the 62nd Annual Grand Parade.
DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD Volunteers show off the McCleary Bear Festival T-shirts at a vendor booth in front of City Hall.
DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD Police and fire department vehicles led the 62nd Annual Grand Parade on Saturday.
DAVE HAVILAND | THE DAILY WORLD The McCleary Fire Department truck rounds the corner onto 3rd Street during the 62nd Annual Grand Parade this year.

The 62nd Annual McCleary Bear Festival was back in full swing last weekend, after a 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the loss of real bear meat in the stew in 2019.

Food and craft vendors had booths on the lawn Friday afternoon, games were in the park and the coronation took place Friday evening followed by the annual Guns and Hoses softball tournament.

The softball continued, vendor booths, and live music entertained the crowd Saturday before the Grand Parade, including the royal court — Senior Queen Koral Young, Junior Prince Nathan Johnston, Senior Princess Taryn Ferrier, and Junior Princess Lola Van Blaricom — drew a huge crowd on both sides of West Simpson Avenue and 3rd Street in downtown McCleary.

More information can be found on past and present festival plans at their website, mcclearybearfestival.org.

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