North American Bear Weekend

01/23/2025

Meet Reya Sunshine - one of our esteemed judges for our upcoming North American Bear Contest taking place in Lexington, KY from 2/20 to 2/22/25.

A Little About Reya:
Reya Sunshine has been involved in the kink scene for 15 years. She teaches across the country about consent, sensation play, and relationship dynamics. Reya is an Emeritus member of Ohio SMART in Cleveland. She joined the Titans of the Midwest in 2018 and is the current President, focusing on bringing high-quality education and diverse educators to the community. Reya supports the Carter Johnson Library and Collection, the LA&M, and the NCSF.

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?

Given that there are still many people involved in the bear community who don't actively support women, trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people joining, I want to ensure all candidates are thinking about keeping this community diverse for decades to come.



— with Reya Sunshine at Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa.

01/20/2025

Meet Derrick Otter Starr - one of our esteemed judges for our upcoming North American Bear Contest taking place in Lexington, KY from 2/20 to 2/22/25.

A Little About Derrick:
Derrick "Otter" Starr lives in the Washington DC area and is Gender non-conforming Drag Artist. They perform all over the country, showing their art to inspire those to be who they are in the name of equality and freedom. They are the Reigning Emprex of the Imperial Court of Washington DC and have a strong passion to raise money and awareness for other non-profits in the DMV area. They are one of the members of the House of Aegis, a family of leather folks, headed by Daddy Tom.

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?
I would love to be a judge in hope to getting to know the contestants a lot more and have a deeper knowledge of the bear community, than they already have.

01/16/2025

Congratulations NAB 2024 Mama Bear Aurora Gainsborough!

As we prepare for this year's NAB Weekend, we get to know 2024's North American Mama Bear Aurora Gainsborough.

01/15/2025

Meet Pup Dikaia - one of our esteemed judges for our upcoming North American Bear Contest taking place in Lexington, KY from 2/20 to 2/22/25.

A Little About Dikaia:
Alpha Pup Dikaia, PhD first got involved in the Ohio leather and furry communities in 2018 and has since become an avid kink educator and outspoken community leader. As Mr. Ohio Leather 2024, he has found and mentored many up-and-coming leather leaders while being a vocal opponent of nepotism in leather communities. Drawing on his roots in academia, he has also worked to provide high-quality and accessible education regarding leather, kink, and fe**sh to learners of all knowledge levels, including several educational sessions at Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) and the International Puppy and Trainer Contest (IPTC).

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?
I think judging is a great way to coach our future leather leaders and build up their leadership skills, no matter if they win the title or not. I also want to give back to the KBB for the kindness they've shown me since I came into contact with them.

01/13/2025

Meet Ken Nelms - one of our esteemed judges for our upcoming North American Bear Contest taking place in Lexington, KY from 2/20 to 2/22/25.

A Little About Ken:
Ken Nelms / Firedaddyken, was Mr. Virginia Leather 2023 and Mr. mid Atlantic Leather 2024. He's a retired fire fighter after 36 years of service. Also a board member of the LGBT Life Center of Norfolk. A member of the Knight Hawks of Virginia. He is a kinky daddy that believes in consensual play and providing a safe play space.

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?

Because I love the Bear community and support my local Bears. This will be my second time attending NAB.

01/13/2025

Meet Ken Nelms - one of our esteemed judges for our upcoming North American Bear Contest taking place in Lexington, KY from 2/20 to 2/22/25.

A Little About Ken:
Ken Nelms / Firedaddyken, was Mr. Virginia Leather 2023 and Mr. mid Atlantic Leather 2024. He's a retired fire fighter after 36 years of service. Also a board member of the LGBT Life Center of Norfolk. A member of the Knight Hawks of Virginia. He is a kinky daddy that believes in consensual play and providing a safe play space.

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?
Because I love the Bear community and support my local Bears. This will be my second time attending NAB.

01/12/2025

Visit the oldest continuously-operating distillery in the US while attending NAB Weekend next month. Only 25 spots remaining on the Saturday morning tour. Get yours now at https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

01/10/2025

Introducing our comedians for this year’s NAB 2025 Comedy Show !

Marquis The Honey Bear is a multi-hyphenate stand up comedian, an Emmy Award nominated producer, creator of the Black Bear Joy charity club event, and a previous title holder of Mr. Bear LA 2023. His debut film as a writer, producer and lead actor “Ornithomancy” comes out this year.
https://linktr.ee/marquishoneybear

Joseph Schles is an LA based comedian and actor, SoCal native who spent his 20s in NYC when he still had energy for all those stairs. He won 1st place at the LA Pride Comedy Fest, has been a featured comedian on Atlantis Cruises, opened for Willam from RuPaul’s Drag Race and his comedy videos have millions of views on TikTok and Instagram . You can check out his comedy album ‘Soliciting D*ck Pics’ streaming on Spotify & Apple Music.
https://linktr.ee/josephschles

Access to the comedy show is available to ALL NAB 2025 pass holders. VIP assigned seating until 9:30 PM.
Remaining seats available for
General Admission. Our show will begin at 9:30pm in the Main Ballroom.
VIP Meet & Greet with our comedian’s will immediately follow after the show from 11PM-Midnight in the ballroom.

MARRIOTT GRIFFIN GATE
RESORT
1800 NEWTON PIKE
LEXINGTON, KY MAIN

Tickets available at:
https://nab2025.eventbrite.com

01/06/2025

Socks & Jocks-Sports Gear!
Saturday Feb. 22, 2025 11pm-2am
Marriott Griffin Gate Resort
Lexington, Kentucky
Ballroom F

Join us for our “Socks & Jocks- Sports Gear” dance party- featuring DJ Hazmat!
Join our 8 sexy GoGo dancers for our second of two dance parties and dance the night away!
Dance party admission is already included in our All-Weekend, Day, and Evening passes. Locals without a pre-registered pass can attend and purchase the night pass from 10pm-3am for only $25 at
https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

01/06/2025

Boots & Dukes Hoedown!
Friday Feb. 21, 2025 11pm-2am
Marriott Griffin Gate Resort
Lexington, Kentucky
Ballroom F

Grab those bib overalls, flannel, boots and daisy dukes for our “Boots & Dukes Hoedown” dance party-featuring DJ Castle!
Join our 8 sexy GoGo dancers for our first of two dance parties and dance the night away!
Dance party admission is already included in our All-Weekend, Day, and Evening passes. Locals without a pre-registered pass can attend and purchase the night pass from 10pm-3am for only $25 at
https://nab2025.eventbrite.com

01/02/2025

Introducing the 2025 class of contestants for our upcoming North American Bear Contest! Come cheer for your favorite this February in Lexington, KY.

01/01/2025

Reminder: Our Holiday Sale on NAB Weekend passes ends TONIGHT at midnight. Save $25 on Standard & VIP passes at https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

12/30/2024

Tomorrow is the deadline to submit your application to compete in the North American Bear Contest in Lexington, KY this February. Follow the link below to submit your application before 11:59pm Eastern Time tomorrow night.

https://nabweekend.com/contest/application/

12/24/2024

Don't miss our final sale to save $25 on both All-Weekend passes to NAB Weekend in Lexington, KY this February. Sale ends 12/31/24. Price will increase to $209 on 01/01/25.

Get yours now at https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

Note: Discount is not applicable to any purchases made prior to 12/24/24.

12/01/2024

To celebrate Cyber Monday, North American Bear Weekend is offering a $25 discount on Standard & VIP All-Weekend Passes to our upcoming event in Lexington, KY this February. Visit the link below to get yours before the sale ends on 12/2 at 11:59pm.

www.eventbrite.com/e/826292080857/?discount=CYBER

NOTE: Discounts are not retroactive to purchases made prior to today. Offer is only for event passes; hotel stay sold separately. Offer ends 12/2/24 at 11:59pm.

Join over 1,200 guests from around the world for our 13th annual North American Bear Weekend from 2/20 to 2/23/2025 in Lexington, KY!

11/28/2024

NAB Weekend is celebrating Black Friday this year by offering an automatic $40 discount on any Standard or VIP All-Weekend Passes purchased til 11:59pm tomorrow night. No promo code necessary. Get yours now at https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

NOTE: Discounts are not retroactive for passes purchased prior to sale dates. This discount is only for the event passes; hotel costs are separate. This offer ends at 11:59pm on 11/29/24.

11/21/2024

Let’s introduce our Emcee’s for NAB Weekend 2025: Bears in the Barnyard February 20-22, 2025 at the Marriott Griffith Gate Resort in Lexington, Kentucky!

Introducing Lady V: a polyamorous, kinky trans woman with a flair for adventure, Lady V delights in burritos, DIY projects, and the occasional butt rub. She holds several prestigious titles, including 2018 International Community Bootblack, 2016 North American Bear, and 2011 Miss Kentuckiana Pride, where she dominated every category except Miss Congeniality. As an accomplished actress, performer, photographer, and experienced emcee, Lady V knows how to captivate an audience.

Next we have Petty Giuliana Poussey,
Petty Giuliana Poussey has dedicated nearly two decades to public service.
Her local community
engagement has led to serving
on the board of
Lexington Fairness, becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate for CASA of Lexington, as well as working in fundraising and development for
nonprofits such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass and Lexington Habitat for Humanity,
Petty served as Empress 37 of the Imperial Court of Kentucky. During her reign, with the communities' help she raised over $100,000 for many charities including Moveable Feast. Petty resides in Lexington with her husband and local drag entertainer, Shady Dior Couture.

Join over 1,500 guests from all around the world in February 2025 in Lexington, KY for an epic 4-day weekend of fun, fur & frolic! Our 13th annual event will feature exciting entertainment, as well as our signature North American Bear Contest.
Guests can also expect lots of mingling activities, pool parties, dance parties, workshops, and vendors; as well as a few new surprises!

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nab-weekend-2025-bears-in-the-barnyard-tickets-826292080857?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

www.nabweekend.com

10/17/2024

The contestant application to compete in the North American Bear Contest in Lexington, KY in February is now active at http://nabweekend.com/contest/application/. The application deadline is December 31, 2024. We are excited to see y'all on stage in a few months!