In the fall of 2004, several minds came together in agreement that providing a fun excursion to Erie's Premier Indoor Water Park and Resort, Splash Lagoon, would be a great time for bears from around the area to just have fun. After a few discussions, John Riley and Gary Snyder worked with several other folks in the Erie community and meetings got underway for Erie's first ever bear event.
Drenched Fur Is Born
From January thru March of 2005, John and Gary along with a small team of dedicated individuals brought together several key elements to help create a one-day event. Starting off with Splash Lagoon in the afternoon, attendees would afterward be free to travel about Erie or retire to the choice hotel, the Ramada Inn downtown. A brief cocktail hour was hosted at the Ramada Inn downtown in the evening to be followed by shuttle service from the hotel to Erie's Trance Dance Club. Here an evening of entertainment and dinner were provided with guys hanging out, dancing and making new friendships thru the night.
Plans Take Shape
As the early part of 2005 moved along, the Drenched Fur Committee worked to line up a loose schedule of places to meet and eat prior to Splash Lagoon on Saturday as well as Sunday morning's departure breakfast. During this time the committee was excited to attain the unique talents of Buffalo, New York's very own Kendall for the Saturday night entertainment line up. In addition, the logo was created and given as a donation in kind from a talented graphic designer in Charleston, West Virginia. During this time, the committee created flyers and worked to spread the word about the one-day event to as many groups as possible including the local bear clubs in New York, Ohio and throughout Pennsylvania. The committee made personal appearances and gave information to the main clubs in the tri-state area including: Buffalo Bears, Burgh Bears (Pittsburgh, PA) and Arktos (Akron/Canton/Cleveland, OH).
The Weekend Gets Closer
In the weeks leading up to the one-day event, registrations began to arrive and word traveled far and near. The committee was initially hoping for a modest response in attendance nearly 25 to 50 guys. Little did they know how quickly things would evolve. Last minute work was done to envelope the rapidly increasing size and scope of the once small and simple plan. The Ramada Inn began to fill up with room reservations. Registrants inquired about what activities there were for Friday night prior to the one-day event. A gathering on Friday night was added to the schedule at The Zone Dance Club, located within walking distance of the hosting hotel.
April Fool's Weekend Arrives
The date for the event was approaching. The Wednesday before, the rarely seen temperature of 70 degrees blessed the Erie area. Plans were falling into place and things looked good for the little event that could. Friday arrives . . . and it's 46 degrees, a nice brisk spring temperature to help keep things moving quickly. The forecast began to call for slight amounts of snow precipitation from Lake Erie to begin on Saturday with little accumulation. Friday evening the early arrivals check-in and the group heads over to the Zone Dance Club for the Meet 'n Greet Social. After a few hours, some drinks, laughs and new friendships made, the group heads back to the hotel and calls it a night.
The Snow Begins
At 8am, the attendees and committee are greeted with a handful of inches of snow blanketing the city. The official weather temperature registers 33 degrees and snow continues to fall. The group heads out at Noon to upper Peach Street to meet together and eat lunch at Bob Evans Restaurant next door to Splash Lagoon. The snow continues to fall as the temperature keeps a steady fluctuation between 33 and 31 degrees throughout the day. Winds begin to increase as the afternoon rolls on and guests begin to work their way through the late spring snow storm that was brewing around the great lakes region. Winds picked up began blowing snow, sleet and rain between 20 and 35 mph with gusts of 44 mph reducing visibility on the highways and all around the city. Slowly but surely the guests continued to arrive at Splash Lagoon to check-in and enjoy their afternoon of fun.
The Bears Get Drenched
Despite the crazy weather conditions, an unbelievable 80+ men arrived at Splash Lagoon on Saturday afternoon for four hours of water slides, hot tub soaks, big smiles and fun times. From near and far, bears continued to join the weekend's attendees. Many voiced their appreciation and awe as they watched the snow fall outside while enjoying the 86 degree atmosphere and constant 84 degree water everywhere within the park. All the attendees were given Splash Cards for use in the Arcade area where several games and tries at prizes took place. The bar and food court were well used for the thirsty and famished between soaks and rides amongst the many families and children throughout the water park. As time came to a close, everyone gathered up their stuff and headed on downtown to the host hotel for some to check-in and others to relax and thaw out from the near blizzard that arrived.
Cocktails, Kendall and Grub
The Red Tomato Bar in the Ramada Inn hosted the incredibly attended Happy Hour in the evening prior the events at Trance. Shuttle Service was provided from the hotel to the club where attendees enjoyed the many musical and comedic talents of the one and only Kendall. A wonderful dinner buffet was hosted and supplied by Trance Dance Club for all the bar guests. And there were tons of guests everywhere you looked. At ten o'clock, the headcount had reached 150+ and the main bar crowd had not even begun to arrive yet! Bears and admirers from all over the state and region turned out to drink and dance through the night. Old friends were reunited and new ones made while guests traveled between the front dance club area and more subdued martini lounge in the back of the establishment. As the night continued, shuttle service was provided as guests were taken back to the hotel in preparation for the after hours party.
Snacks, BYOB and the back room . . .
After Trance had closed the final shuttle service ran, the boys gathered together in the hospitality room for snacks, the help yourself BYOB bar and conversation. Several topics were abuzz in the air including the non-stop falling snow, the drastic change in temperature that week, the fun times enjoyed throughout the day and certain fashion statements that made their Erie debut. (Let's just say that those boots were made for walkin'.) Hugs and cuddles were passed around as new found friends and acquaintances were made well into the night.
The Morning After
Sunday at 9am, the city is ground to a near halt. Overnight nearly a foot of snow had accumulated and covered the entire city. Roads were difficult to navigate due to the local plows and trucks having been retired for the season. Several jokes were aligned to not affording shovels and salt for the streets. Buffalo natives appeared to be less disturbed than most other out of town folks. Slowly but surely, the guests check out of the Ramada and made their way up Peach Street to the Eat 'n Park Restaurant and enjoyed the Sunday morning breakfast buffet. Names, numbers, and hugs were exchanged as everyone began to brace themselves for the long journey home. Reports came back throughout the day to the committee that beyond a certain radius from the city, highways began to clear and traffic resumed its usual pace. Several attendees decided to stay in town for another night and wait out the wintry conditions. The high peaked at 39 degrees at 8pm that evening. By the end of day, the roads were clear, most of the snow melted and everyone had made it home safe and sound.
The Reviews Come In
Word traveled fast and the committee found themselves quite pleased with the overall experience. Guests e-mailed back and left comments about how much they enjoyed the weekend, the activities and even the snow. All-in-all things went rather well and questions immediately began to pop-up about next year's plans as well as guests voicing their decisions to return yet again in 2006 for another weekend of fun. The committee had decided it best in the meantime to table discussions and reward themselves with a recovery period. For a review article after the event weekend, check out the article here at Erie Gay News.
The Summer and Fall of 2005
As the months passed, guests who had been to Erie for Drenched Fur inquired with hope periodically if the event would be returning. Leg work began as the fall turned into winter as the 2005 holiday season quickly approached. The Drenched Fur committee created the web domain and begins work on www.drenchedfur.com in December and the plans for Drenched Fur II begin to take shape.
