


Bears in the Barnyard
Kentucky
When:
February
Website:
Title Contest:
North American Bear Contest
Title(s):
North American: Bear, Cub, Mama Bear, Pet
About
From the Producers:
NAB Weekend began as an idea shared between a handful of Kentucky Bourbon Bear club members one evening at a member’s home. With the void left by the end of International Bear Rendezvous (IBR), we recognized a need in the Bear community to carry-on the tradition of recognizing the talented men across the country who had won local/state/regional bear/leather/bar titles. And…the Mr. North American Bear Contest was born – granting an opportunity for those title holders to gain international recognition & praise within the community.
Opportunities
Title Contest(s)
The North American Bear Contest is open to any resident of the United States, Mexico or Canada; who identifies as: Bear, Mama Bear, Cub, Pet.
All contestants must be bar/state/regional bear title holders within the last (5) years. Contests who were named “First Runner Up” in their local/state/bar contests are also eligible to participate if the winner from that year’s contest does not wish to participate in the event*. Contestants must be 21 years of age by the contest date.
Contestant applications are due the December prior, or January the year of the title run. Please check with producers for exact information.
Judging Criteria
Personality Wear (an outfit that portrays YOU)
Theme Wear (Country Barnyard-themed attire)
Fantasy Wear (a 4-minute skit/scene is required)
Title Wear or Pet Wear (during your Speech)
Also: some contestants prepare “looks” for raffle ticket sales and a special outfit for the Judges’ Interview. If you are representing a title, consider wearing your sash, vest, medallion, etc during one of these times. Not a requirement, but plan your suitcases accordingly.
Volunteer Opportunities
Previous Titleholders
2024 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Connor Michalchuk (Bear)
• Cub Chaos (Cub)
• Aurora Gainesborough (Mama Bear)
• Gus Gus (Pet)
2023 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Andy Curtiss (Bear)
• Lex Apro (Cub)
• Shannon Ashley (Mama Bear)
• Pup Rookie (Pet)
2022 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Heath Hooper (Bear)
• ———————- (Cub)
• Sunny Haynes (Mama Bear)
• Jonathan Daniels (Pet)
2020/2021 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Jack Hinkle+ (Bear)
• Odyssey Onyx (Cub)
• Dev’on Ess Lee (Mama Bear)
2019 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Kevin Barni (Bear)
• Cutler Shell (Cub)
• Lisa Abner-Smith (Mama Bear)
2018 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Kenny Keawekane (Bear)
• —————————- (Cub)
• Michael Revis (Muscle Bear)
• Freddy (Daddy Bear)
• James Butterfield (Bear Admirer)
2017 North American Bear Contest Winners
• AJ Perdew (Bear)
• Derek Strong (Cub)
• Aaron Huddleston (Muscle Bear)
• Mark Snyder-Schulte (Daddy Bear)
• Zach Palmer (Bear Hunter)
2016 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Rae Smith (Bear)
• Raven Driscoll (Cub)
• Jack Lundy (Muscle Bear)
• John Riniker (Daddy Bear)
• Terron Cooper (Bear Hunter)
2015 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Dan Chesser (Bear)
• Brandon Barker (Cub)
• Ches Clark (Muscle Bear)
• Trell Walters (Daddy Bear)
• John Armitage (Bear Hunter)
2014 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Rex Wesley (Bear)
• Cody Allman (Cub)
• Howard Bunger (Muscle Bear)
• Robert Garrett (Daddy Bear)
• Vincent Snyder (Bear Hunter)
2013 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Curtis Bass (Bear)
• Jerry Sifuentes (Cub)
• Jim Nichols (Muscle Bear)
• Diesel Fox (Daddy Bear)
• Jack Lundy (Bear Hunter)
2012 North American Bear Contest Winners
• Jed Ryan (Bear)
• Dave Baker (Cub)
• Ben Lee (Muscle Bear)
• Vincent Mastrangelo (Bear Hunter)
Socials & Other Links
Email: nabweekend@gmail.com