Greetings and salutations!

I trust you all had a wonderful time with family and loved ones over the holidays and you’re sticking to your New Year’s resolutions!

T’was the season to be Chunky and Chunky NYE was a huge success, thanks to all who supported it. One of the best parties we had last year.

Now that the silly season is behind us, we’re down to the business end of Harbour City Bears annual Bear Run — Bear Essentials, number 15 to be precise. It’s a Bear’s World!

The pre–New Year sales of party passes sold out and individual ticket sales are encouraging. With just over three weeks to go and a stellar line-up of international talent, this promises to be one of the best events yet.

Recently a number of our events have sold out and it does cause disappointment for some. If you are planning to go to any of the Bear Essential events it’s best that you purchase your tickets well in advance — these events do sell out.

Working alongside one of our sponsors aussieBum this year, Harbour City Bears will have its very own underwear made with the Bear Essentials15 logo on it. The proceeds from the sale of these will be donated to our charity, Inspire. These will be available very soon at Furry Fridays and at the Bear Stall at Mardi Gras Fair Day.

Fair Day will also be where we will launch the festival this year — so come along, underneath the Bear tree, and support us.

This Saturday sees the second birthday of Chunky. Yaay! Yes, our little baby is two years old. Summer Chunky will be at Q Bar. For those of you who may not know, it’s above Kingsteam on Oxford St, the entrance next door to the Oxford Art factory. There’s a lift to the top floor so no need to worry about stairs unless you are feeling energetic.

So on with the budgie smugglers and Hawaiian shirts and give Chunky that real summer feeling.

Hope to see you there.

By RICHARD MOORE, Harbour City Bears