Drenched Fur 15 Celebrates WOOFstock

from Gary Snyder/Drenched Fur

Erie hosted Drenched Fur 15 April 11-15. DF-15 is a regional bear weekend, celebrating its 15th year with the theme of WOOFstock- a goof on the cultural phenom Woodstock Music Festival from 1969. DF15 put together a weekend vacation where hundreds of men came from across North America stayed at the Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center. Guests traveled from coast-to-coast, as far as Canada, California, Rhode Island, Florida, and in-between plus around the tri-state area. Erie has been annually hosting Drenched Fur for over a decade and a half as a weekend of activities where men who appreciate each other and their natural masculinity can let off some winter doldrums.

The Drenched Fur 15 weekend included live musical performances, pool socials, beer/wine tours, games, and the return of DJ Tony Ruiz. The main event for every year of Drenched Fur is going to Splash Lagoon, our local indoor water park resort. This year was the event's 12th exclusive Saturday night time private event at Splash Lagoon; making DF the longest consistent group event for the water park.

The Drenched Fur 15 Committee and staff of volunteers rose to the occasion creating one of the biggest events for Erie's LGBTQA community. Many thanks to all the individuals, sponsors, and businesses that were involved in making DF15 a success! To find out more about Drenched Fur, visit drenchedfur.com to find out when you can attend DF16 next year in 2020 and enjoy the 'Best Little Run for Fun.'

About the Author

Gary Snyder Gary Snyder (He/Him), has been involved with Erie Gay News submitting articles since 2005 and coordinating the Annual Pride Picnic kitchen in 2008. He currently serves as an Advisory Board member of the NWPA Pride Alliance [since 2012]. Gary is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in HRIM. From 1999 to 2012 he was an active member and then executive officer of the non-profit Burgh Bears social club in Pittsburgh, PA. Currently Gary is employed by the Erie County Department of Health as the HIV Disease Intervention Specialist, serving as a community member of the HIV Planning Group in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Along with advising the NWPAPA Board, he chairs the Erie County HIV Task Force, serves on the Erie Gay News Editorial Board, and is the President of the AFSCME Union Local 2666.