Drenched Fur (46 Articles with 130,854 total views)
Drenched Fur is Erie's annual Bear Run since 2005. Check it out at the web site.
March, 2021
Drenched Fur 16 Wonderland Awaits in 2022
A year ago we were unaware of the COVID-19 pandemic that would turn things upside down and inside out. As the world begins to see advances in vaccines improving public health, the safety and welfare of our event attendees continues to be the primary driver of our decision making processes. Many events have adjusted in various ways and Drenched Fur is not much different. The coming months will be critical for the future of social events.
April, 2020
Drenched Fur postponed
Because of COVID 19, this year's Drenched Fur, originally scheduled for April 2-5, is being postponed. It is our hope that the event will take place in April of 2020, as we are working out details with the hotel and Splash Lagoon as this issue was going to press.
February, 2020
Drenched Fur 16 is a Wonderland Adventure
It's the sixteenth installment of Drenched Fur here in Erie, PA for enjoyable series of events with their theme, Bears in Wonderland, during the weekend of April 2nd thru 5th, 2020.
May, 2019
Drenched Fur 15 Celebrates WOOFstock
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.
April, 2019
Bobby Jo Valentine in concert on April 12
The Erie community welcomes award-winning Bobby Jo Valentine, singer/songwriter, who will perform on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Bel Aire, 2800 W 8th St, Erie PA as part of Drenched Fur 15. When Bobby was younger, he lived here and Erie became part of his coming out process. He used to be a music director for a Baptist church locally. "Born into a Baptist church of strict lines and sharp edges, and coming out of that culture to discover who he really is, Bobby is now a believer of a different sort: a believer in the wild, strange, mystical nature of the world and the beauty that can be found underneath almost any tragedy." After coming out, he began to tour the country and sing to inspire thousands of people to be proud of who they are! Check out his website: http://www.bobbyjovalentine.com/ to learn more about him, listen to some of his music, and read about some of his accolades. Tickets for his performance in Erie will be available for $10 at the door of the Bel Air Ballroom. Performance will begin at 8 PM.
Drenched Fur 15: A Groovy Good Time
It's the fifteenth installment of Drenched Fur here in Erie, PA during the weekend of April 11th thru 14th, 2019. This year's theme is a fun twist on the 50th anniversary of the cultural event in Woodstock NY we've dubbed WOOFstock as tie-dye hip fun invades the Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel. The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends has full weekend packages available for just $155 per person. PLUS there are individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com.
June, 2018
Drenched Fur 14 recap
This April 12-15, once again the Erie community was host for the exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur (DF). It was the fourteenth time the 'Best Little Run for Fun' created a weekend vacation where hundreds of men came from places like Canada, California, Iowa, and around the tri-state area.
April, 2018
Drenched Fur 14 is Hitting the Outer Limits
It's the fourteenth installment of Drenched Fur here in Erie, PA for enjoyable series of events with their theme, Bears in Space, during the weekend of April 12th thru 15th, 2018. The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends is sold out for full weekend packages. YET there are individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com. Note: Drenched Fur events are for adult males 21 and older.
March, 2018
Bears Do Dinner at Sneaky Pete's
About 12 guys enjoyed dinner and friendly conversation at the monthly Bears Do Dinner at Sneaky Pete's, 6116 Swanville Rd, Erie PA, on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Bears Do Dinner is held at a different eatery every month. Dinner is on your own. Dates and locations are announced in the EGN calendar.
May, 2017
DF13 Tastes Forbidden Fruit, Again
Leading into April this year (March 30-April 2), the Erie community was home once again for the Exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur. It was the thirteenth time the ‘Best Little Run for Fun' created a space where hundreds of men coming from the likes of Canada, California, Florida, Texas, and around the tri-state area. Erie has been annually hosting Drenched Fur for over a decade as a weekend where men who appreciate each other and their natural masculinity can let off some winter doldrums. This year's theme did a twist on the 'unlucky number 13' and revolved around the cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
April, 2017
Drenched Fur 13 is Gonna Time Warp Again
This year's installment of Drenched Fur is looking forward to enjoying the fun of celebrating their theme inspiration with the cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, during the weekend of March 30th thru April 2nd, 2017 The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends is sold out for full weekend packages. YET there are individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com. Note: Drenched Fur events are for adult males 21 and older.
HIV & STD Testing at Drenched Fur 13 - Get a FREE Gift Card!
As part of Drenched Fur 13, HIV and STD testing services will be provided to local men as a great option on Saturday April 1st between 10am and 2pm. These free and confidential testing services are being provided by the Erie County Department of Health and Community Health Net in the Ambassador Meeting Room at the Bel Aire Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 W 8th St, Erie PA. Even better, individuals getting HIV tests will receive a Country Fair gift card. Guys can use this web link to choose their testing time at the online version OR you can show up between 10am and 2pm to get tested! Tests provided include rapid HIV (saliva sample), rapid syphilis (blood sample) and also chlamydia and gonorrhea (urine sample).
March, 2017
Shiver with Antici....pation for Drenched Fur 13
Drenched Fur is about to host their 13th year here in Erie PA during the weekend of March 30th thru April 2nd, 2017. And this year, their theme inspiration is the cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends is nearly sold out for full weekend packages. BUT there are several individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com.
June, 2016
Drenched Fur 12 scores big

During the second weekend of April, once again the Erie community hosted Erie's exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur. This time the 'Best Little Run for Fun' brought together hundreds of men hailing from around the tri-state area and as far away as Chicago, San Francisco, DC, and Toronto.
April, 2016
A la carte events at Drenched Fur 12 Weekend
The Drenched Fur weekend package is sold out, but there are several individual events available. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com Note: Drenched Fur events are for adult males 21 and older.
Drenched Fur 12 Helps You Get Tested
During this year's Drenched Fur bear run in Erie, PA, attendees and local guys can signup to get tested for STIs and HIV. Stop in to get some testing done and know your status. You can sign up on line to help assure a spot in the Noon to 4pm timeframe on Saturday April 9th. Use this link with the password 'DF12' to get your spot today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/df12-saturday-std-testing-tickets-24019294356?ref=elink
May, 2015
Drenched Fur 11 has record turnout
The second weekend of April was the 11th where the Erie community hosted Erie's Exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur. This year's theme was ‘Pop Goes the 80s' where the ‘Best Little Run for Fun' had a record turnout for the main event; an exclusive night time private event at Splash Lagoon, our local indoor water park resort. In addition to enjoying the fun wet times there, the weekend this year also included karaoke, daytime tours to local beer, food, and wine locations, as well as a comedy game show version of Jeopardy.
April, 2015
Drenched Fur's 11th Year Approaches
Drenched Fur is celebrating its 11th year with a fun filled 'Pop Goes the 80s' theme weekend for the broader bear community from Erie, PA and beyond. Over 200 bears, cubs, and admirers will be attending Drenched Fur 11 the weekend of April 9th-12th. We invite you to join us for some rad times!
March, 2015
Bear Bar Night
On Friday, February 6, 2015, Drenched Fur organized a Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. It was a wonderful and friendly night for bears and their admirers. Photos are by Michael Mahler.
Drenched Fur 11 Video News Update #4
It's here! The fourth news video update has posted to the Drenched Fur YouTube channel. This time we talk about the hotel selling out as well as massage services, the game show selection and a new sponsor for an event during the run weekend. The Drenched Fur 11 Events Schedule has been updated on the run website as continue to update items here in the month of February! Take a look at the video update below and we look forward to seeing you in April!
February, 2015
Drenched Fur 11 Video News Update #3
It's here! The third news video update for our run has posted on the Drenched Fur YouTube channel. This installment we talk about the status of our host hotel selling out as well as a new tour for Saturday afternoon and items regarding meals. Also, the DF11 Events Schedule has been updated on the run website. We're planning additional updates to come in the month of February as we prepare for hosting another weekend of fun! Watch the video update below and we look forward to seeing you in April!
December, 2014
Drenched Fur 11 Video News Update #2
It's here! The second of our Drenched Fur run news video updates has posted on our YouTube channel and this time we're revealing some info folks have been asking about regarding when run registration and hotel booking will begin. The DF11 Events Schedule is now posted on the run website and we look forward to adding new activities in the coming months to when we host another weekend of fun!
November, 2014
Drenched Fur 11 Video News Update
It's here! The first of our run news video updates has posted on our YouTube channel and we're happy to give you an update on a couple of things regarding when run registration and hotel booking will begin. Also we're announcing our theme for Drenched Fur 11. The DF Committee is excited to host another weekend of fun and looks forward to providing news update videos over the coming months on the most recent information regarding Drenched Fur activites, host hotel details, and more!
June, 2014
Drenched Fur 10
Drenched Fur 10 was held April 10-13 at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center in Erie PA. About 250 guys attended. The sub theme this year was Pirates. The charity selected was the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. This year’s events included karaoke, a poolside fashion show, a Bear Bar Night at the Zone, foodie tours, a beer tour, a wine tour, a comedy roast of event coordinator Gary Snyder, and a private after hours event at Splash Lagoon. Drenched Fur 11 will be held April 9-12. More info about current and past events is at www.drenchedfur.com
January, 2014
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, December 27, Drenched Fur held a post-holiday Bear Bar Night at The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News, with editing by Deb Spilko. To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
December, 2013
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, November 22, 2013, the Drenched Fur board had a fun and friendly Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 8th St, Erie PA. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
October, 2013
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, September 27. 2013, Drenched Fur held a Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. It was a great night after taking a break for the summer! To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
May, 2013
Drenched Fur 9 Sets Record Attendance
During the first weekend of April, the Erie community hosted once again to Erie's Exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur. This time the ‘Best Little Run for Fun' brought together a record 250+ men from around the tri-state area and as far away as Chicago, Houston, DC, and Toronto. Erie has been hosting Drenched Fur for nine years allowing men to appreciate themselves and each other in their natural masculinity.
Drenched Fur dog tags for NW PA Pride Alliance
Drenched Fur chooses a different charity each year to raise funds for as part of its annual Bear run. This year, Drenched Fur chose NW PA Pride Alliance. Part of the fundraiser included selling dog tags at the Zone Dance Club. NW PA Pride Alliance Vice-President Season Crannell (AKA Goldilocks) took photos of the dog tags that were sold.
April, 2013
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, March 15, 2013, The board for Drenched Fur held a fun Bear Bear Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Bear Bar Night is usually the 3rd Friday of the month. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
March, 2013
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, February 15, 2013, The board for Drenched Fur held a fun Bear Bear Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Bear Bar Night is usually the 3rd Friday of the month. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
February, 2013
Bear Bar Night at the Zone
On Friday, January 18, 2013, members of Erie's Bear community had a fun time at the monthly Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. The event is organized by the Drenched Fur committee, the annual Bear Run. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. To sign up for email reminders are Erie area Bear events, browse to here.
January, 2013
Bear Bar Night
On Friday, December 14, 2012, Erie's Bear community and friends enjoyed a wonderful holiday Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. The event was organized by the Drenched Fur committee. Photos are by Michael Mahler, Erie Gay News co-editor and Season Crannell.
November, 2012
Bear Bar Night
On Friday, October 19, Drenched Fur committee members organized another fun Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Bears and their admirers enjoyed a wonderful night of good times and hanging with old and new friends! Photos by Michael Mahler and others.
October, 2012
Bear Bar Night
On Friday, September 21, Erie's Bear community had a fun night out at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, at the monthly Bear Bar Night. The get together is usually held the 3rd Friday of the month. For more info, browse to the Drenched Fur web site or sign up for the Erie Bear Event email list. Photos are by Erie Gay News co-editor Michael Mahler and NW PA Pride Alliance Vice President Season Crannell.
May, 2012
Drenched Fur 8
The bears of Drenched Fur 8 enjoyed a great weekend at the end of March for fun and good times. On Thursday, early arrivals for a bar night outing at The Zone Dance Club to kicked off the run events. Then on Friday run registrants gathered together for an indoor pool party at the Bel Aire Hotel followed by a musical performance with the return of vocal/guitarist Jeff RockCub. The fun continued the following night, on Saturday with a Gilligan's Island Themed Buffet Dinner and Comedy Game Show Combo at the Bel Aire Hotel. And of course, that night was the exclusive event at the Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort where over 200 guys from around the USA had the entire facility to themselves! The event weekend also included a winery tour, casino visits, charity auction, vendor mall, and other activities. The Drenched Fur 8 Committee hosted one of the biggest events for Erie's GLBTQA community and thanks all the individuals and businesses that helped make this year a success. To find out more about Drenched Fur and to review our photo gallery from over the years, you can visit our website at www.drenchedfur.com.
March, 2012
Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club
Drenched Fur's second Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, on Friday, February 17 was a delightful way for Bears and their friends and supporters to enjoy some great times together and meet new folks. Drenched Fur is Erie's annual Bear Run. Sign up for the Erie Bear Events email list here! Photos are by Gary Snyder.
February, 2012
Bear Bar Night at the Zone Dance Club
On the Friday night of this year's first winter storm (January 13, 2012), The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA hosted a Bear Bar Night where dozens of bears, cubs and their friends defied the snow to enjoy fun times with the local community and staff at the bar. The Drenched Fur 8 Committee gave away a Splash Lagoon Private Event Pass for Saturday March 31st during this year's run. Congrats to Jared on being the proud recipient! The guys that put on Drenched Fur are grateful for everyone that came out to join us for bringing together Erie's GLBTQA community and thanks all the individuals that helped make January's Bear Bar Night a success. Our next Bear Bar Night will be Friday, February 17!
August, 2011
Drenched Fur 7
This past April, Erie was once again the host for Erie's Exclusive Bear Weekend known as Drenched Fur. This time the run of incredible fun for over 200 men hailing from around the tri-state area and as far away as Texas, Indiana, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Toronto. Erie has been the annual host to Drenched Fur and celebrated lucky year number seven for the men attending that appreciate themselves and each other in their natural masculinity.
June, 2010
Drenched Fur 6
Drenched Fur, Erie PA's Annual Bear event, held yet another fun-filled run! About 200 guys attended. The weekend included performances by Bearapalooza at Craze Night Club, a night out at the Zone Dance Club, a trip to Presque Isle Downs Casino, a winery tour, a buffet dinner with a performance by comedian William Brown, a private party at Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park, after parties and great times with friends!
August, 2009
Drenched Fur Waldameer & Water World event Aug 22
For five years now, the Drenched Fur Committee has been hosting the Erie's Bear Run in the late winter/early spring. And in response to requests for an outdoor/summertime event, the DF Committee has planned an outing to Waldameer and Water World on Saturday August 22nd. For just $17, you will get a combo pass for all the rides and slides to enjoy along with the other bears, cubs and admirers. We're inviting folks to join us for a BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) between 11am and 1pm. After lunch, we'll head into the water park for a few fun soaked hours and then enjoy for dinner the various food rides the amusement park offers. Then it's on to midway games and rides for a few more hours of enjoyment. One of the best options for Waldameer is that folks who don't care for rides can still join us for the amusement park portion for free! Waldameer does not require admission to the non-water park portion where tickets can be purchased for say just 1 ride if desired. Water World however does require admission. But for the group discounted rate of just $17, you can't go wrong! More details regarding the days events and contact information can be found by visiting www.drenchedfur.com or calling me at (814)384-0463. We look forward to having you join us!
May, 2009
Drenched Fur Makes Another Splash in Erie
The first weekend in April was incredible fun for over 200 men from around the tri-state area and as far away as Florida, Arkansas and Virginia that came together for the fifth installment of Erie's Bear Weekend called Drenched Fur. The bear community has been growing ever since it began in the 1980s and Erie, PA has helped create a place for men that appreciate themselves and each other. One of the things that has helped make Erie a destination for the bear community is the highlight of having an exclusive private event at Splash Lagoon, our local indoor water park resort. In addition to enjoying the fun wet times, the weekend included several social events at the host hotel as well as a bar crawl to Craze and The Zone. Another main event that the guys came together for was a banquet dinner on Saturday night after choosing to spend the afternoon on a winery tour, playing slots at Presque Isle Downs and Casino or seeing the sites around Erie. The Drenched Fur 5 Committee worked hard to bring together one of the biggest events for the GLBT community and thanks all the individuals and businesses that helped make this year a success. To find out more about Drenched Fur, you can visit our website to review photos from over the years as well as reading the history of what has happened thus far. And don't miss out on next years' installment of DF6 being held April 9th – 11th 2010. We'll see you there! www.drenchedfur.com
May, 2008
Drenched Fur 4 Is a Splashing Success
The first weekend of April was the fourth year of Erie’s premier bear run event, Drenched Fur. This year was host to a record 230 attendees, almost double last year’s run! Participants enjoyed a great weekend of activities from parties, visits to regional wineries, trips to gambling at Presque Isle Downs and Casino and also a private event at Splash Lagoon on Friday night. This year, we raised over $1,000 for the Shriners Hospital here in Erie. The money donated will be provided for the children at Shriners to create their very own Build-A-Bear animal from the company’s website. Then, staff members from the hospital will visit the Millcreek Mall store to have the stuffed animal made as requested.
May, 2007
Drenched Fur III - Third time's a charm
Who knew that Drenched Fur would make it this far? Looking back on the previous two years and the work we put into making this run and its legacy, it reminds us of the old ad slogan "You've come a long way baby." From the humble beginning where we wished for maybe 20 guys who would like to get together, to this year's record breaking registrant numbers (120+), it just keeps getting better each year.
May, 2006
Drenched Fur II is another 'splashing' success!
Well the weekend has once again come and gone and it's back to life as we knew it before the fur invasion began. Now that we've had the opportunity to get some perspective we're very pleased with the way the weekend went overall. To break it down: we had nearly 90 furry boys join us for some fun and wet times on Saturday afternoon at the Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park. Our host bars during the weekend, The Zone Dance Club and Trance Dance Club, both were well received by the 100+ bears, cubs, and admirers that came into Erie for our weekend run.
May, 2005
Drenched Fur Turnout is a SPLASHING Success!
Well the weekend has come and gone and it's back to life as I once knew it before the fur invasion began. Despite the blasted snowstorm that blanketed Erie and the surrounding areas with lots of thick white stuff that weekend, luckily everyone was able to get home and stay safe.
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