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Historic Independence, MO
Celebrated City-Wide Bear Affair
February 19-21, 2005
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Bingham-Waggoner Estate |
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Vaile Victorian Mansion |
By Bev Haring, Esmerlda's Enterprises
and
Janeen Aggen, Independence Tourism Center
Teddy bear lovers were thrilled with
a weekend of non-stop bear–related
events at various sites throughout Independence, Missouri, a historic
city adjacent to Kansas City, during President’s Day weekend, February
19-21.
In the 1800s, Missouri was the edge of settled country. Across the river lay the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails, which our early pioneers traveled to settle the West.
During the Bear Affair, the National Frontier Trails Museum hosted
a special program geared for 8-12 year olds, which outlined the
kinds of bears encountered by pioneers and mountain men.
Photos with life-size character
bears such as Smokey the Bear
and Winnie the Pooh® were also
on display.
Bears of all types, sizes and ages - traditional teddy bears, panda
bears, Winnie the Pooh® bears,
polar bears and exquisite handmade
bears were exhibited and sold at various locations
throughout the city, including some historic mansions.
Children’s and grown-ups alike, enjoyed events such as marionette
and puppet shows, bear-themed breakfasts, photo opportunities
with costumed bear characters, teddy bear tea parties, bear-making workshops and bear cookie decorating activity.
In 1926, Harry Truman lead the campaign to build the Truman
Memorial Building as a tribute to those that made the ultimate
sacrifice in World War I.
Recently renovated, the Truman Memorial Building served as the
venue for the Saturday evening auction/wine and cheese reception
at which nine, six-foot tall fiberglass bears, decorated by teddy
bear artists and Independence area groups, were auctioned off
to the highest bidders.
Each of the bears brought between $200 and $300 and the profits
went to support the Child Abuse Prevention Association. A silent
auction of handcrafted bears by famous bear artists and related bearaphernalia was also conducted and proceeds donated to aid
in the continued restoration of historic Independence places.
Noted teddy bear authority, William (Bill) Boyd, was also available
for questions and information.
During the weekend's events, Good Bears of the World International donated bears to the Independence Fire Department Rescue Team
for use with children in emergency, disaster or crisis situations.
Sites and attractions which displayed handcrafted artists' bears
from Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Canada ,
hosted events or provided activities included the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vaile Victorian Mansion, Chicago and Alton Depot, Puppetry
Arts Institute, National Frontier Trails Museum, Olive Branch Inn,
various shops in the historic Jackson County Courthouse Square
area, Girlfriends restaurant, the Truman Memorial Building and
Englewood Café.
Area restaurants and lodging establishments offered bear-themed
specials, giveaways and discount packages.
Following is a synopsis of the Bear Affair weekend's activities:
BEAR ARTISTS EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS occured at these
three historic locations along with other activities, as noted:
Bingham-Waggoner Estate (www.bwestate.org) - Built in 1852, verandas surround the perimeter of the southern-style mansion.
The bulk of the furnishings and accessories belonged to the original owners, who continuously occupied the home from the 1890’s until
1979. Talented bear artist,
Craig Bottiger,
demonstrated the various
steps involved in creating a handmade teddy and a professional bear authority appraised bears for $3.00 per bear.
Vaile Victorian Mansion (www.vailemansion.org) - Fashioned
after a French chateau, the Vaile was built in 1880 and featured numerous advanced features for its day, including indoor plumbing
and gas heat. An imposing structure, it stands in the midst of an otherwise very Midwestern neighborhood.
Chicago and Alton Restored Depot - Personal collections and
displays of bears were shown in the Chicago & Alton Depot. This
historic building, erected in 1879 as a railroad depot, is believed
to be the oldest two-story frame depot still remaining standing,
in Missouri.
WINE AND CHEESE TASTING/BEAR AUCTION
Truman Memorial Building - Selections from the Bear Frolic
puppet show presented, complimentary wine, cheese and cider,
winners of bear coloring contests announced, auction of the
oversized fiberglass bears plus silent auction of bears handmade
by participating bear artists.
PHOTOS WITH CHARACTER BEARS AND TEDDY BEARS HISTORY
National Frontier Trails Museum (www.frontiertrailsmuseum.org) -
Favorite life-size bears, including Smokey the Bear, Pooh Bear and Bernstain's Sister Bear were available for photo opportunities. Fun
history lessons and workshops for ages 8-12, highlighted the bears encountered by pioneers and mountain men and included the chance
to make a paper bear. BEAR FROLICS PUPPET/MARIONETTE SHOW
Puppetry Arts Institute (www.hazelle.org) - home to marionettes created by Hazelle Rollins, presented an original bear-themed musical variety show.
BREAKFAST WITH THE BEARS
Englewood Café - Entertainment by life-size character bears with
a different themed breakfast every day (Goldilocks and the Three
Bears, Care Bears and Winnie the Pooh).
PLUSH TEDDIES BY “FIRST AND MAIN” BEAR COMPANY
Olive Branch Inn - Visitors could view and purchase a variety
of child-friendly and reasonably priced teddy bears from a major
wholesale bear company and
help decorate giant bear cookies.
BEAR BOOK FAIR – FEATURING BERNSTAIN BEAR’S SISTER BEAR
Apple Tree Book Store - Children purchased special books at this
"Buy One, Get One FREE!" book fair.
TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY
Girlfriends - Guests, their friends, and their best bears played
dress-up in hats, skirts, tiaras, boas, shoes, glasses, gloves and
jewelry, at a special luncheon, which served pigs in a blanket,
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chocolate/Oreo combo-dipped strawberries, teddy bear cookies and iced cider while all provided
to guests to use during lunch. They also sang & danced to favorite
Oldies tunes!
Return to Page 1 - Featuring Another Bear Affair Article!
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3428 Hillvale Road 
