It’s hard to believe but La Fiesta de Los Osos (Festival of the Bears) is thirteen years old!  During the past twelve Fiestas over 2000 bears and buddies from over 20 countries have enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of our desert city making Fiesta weekend one of the most anticipated bear events in the U.S!
 
Fiesta 2009 continues in this tradition by offering the best that Tucson and the Bears of the Old Pueblo have to offer to our 300 guests all surrounded by brilliantly sunny days and star-filled nights. Registration will be accepted through January 1, 2009 (postmarked by January 2nd), or until 300 bears have registered.  We choose to cap our attendance to make sure that it’s a size that’s fun, friendly, and manageable.
 
The event will maintain its successful format with a few new twists and activities to keep the weekend fun and fresh for all our friends who attend year after year. Day and half-day tours will be available every day or just lay back and enjoy the sparkling heated pool and Jacuzzi on the grounds of the comfortable and intimate Randolph Park Hotel & Suites (formerly a Clarion Hotel). All 157 rooms of the hotel have been reserved for Fiesta weekend attendees only and will be filled with BEARS, BEARS, BEARS!
 
So what do you get for your registration fee?
Glad you asked!  Fiesta also continues its tradition of offering you as much ‘bang-for-your-buck’ as we can muster!  Your registration includes up to seven meals, entertainment, our famous Pinata Bust, access to the event shuttles, and even a chance at a variety of fabulous prizes!  As a Fiesta attendee you will be amongst 300 of the friendliest, frisky, and mirthful bears from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and beyond!  Registrants also get the reduced room rate and access to the host hotel as well as a high-quality embroidered ‘T’ or polo shirt with the Fiesta logo.
 
What’s to see and do while I’m in Tucson?
That’s where we’re really blessed! Not only will you be surrounded by some of the finer examples of ursine beauty but you’ll be under the azure skies of Southern Arizona set within the most bio-diverse and gorgeous desert in the world!  Situated in an immense valley ringed by four stately mountain ranges, Tucson with a population of over 1 million people is a big city with all the amenities you’d expect but a friendly, small-town feel.  Founded first by the Hohokam peoples Tucson has been continuously inhabited since at least 1200 B.C. and a wealth of history featuring native peoples, the Spanish Conquistadors, Jesuit Missionaries, and old-west pioneers abound here.  Day and half-day tours will take Fiesta attendees on optional visits to prominent area attractions for everything from hiking to sight-seeing, green forests to desert mountains, shopping to spelunking!
 
What’s the weather like in January?
How’s ‘just about perfect’ for a somewhat boastful answer?  Daytime highs in Tucson during January are regularly in the 70’s with nighttime lows in the 40’s. In 12 years of past Fiestas (that’s over 40 days total) we’ve had exactly four cold days, not a bad average eh? Now you know why we love it here and you can expect the same.  Bring clothing that reflects the warm days but cool nights and you’ll be set!
 
How do I get around?
Whether it’s joining us for the early arrival dinner, the various scenic tours, the Saturday Beer Bust, or the Friday and Saturday night bar-hopping, Sunday’s clothing-optional hike, or just getting to or from Tucson International Airport the Bears of the Old Pueblo have got you covered! We’ll be running shuttles and event vans free of charge to all scheduled events.  If the vans fill up local members or other Fiesta attendees will be glad to offer carpooling caravans ‘what a better way to make some new friends?’  For those that want to tour at their leisure and explore the city and region on their own Avis Car Rentals is offering a Fiesta attendees discount of 25%.
 
What’s to eat?
It’s true that man cannot live on fur alone and so we offer a variety of meals included with your registration fee to entertain your taste buds and keep up your strength for your own entertaining!  Early arrivals will again enjoy heading out to a variety of favorite restaurants with local hosts featuring everything from finer dining to rustic southwestern fare, shuttles vans will be provided. This is the one dinner that’s on your own with prices running from $10-$25. For your lunch-on-your own needs there are several good restaurants within walking distance of the host hotel and for our more adventurous visitors we’ll provide a list of recommended establishment at the registration desk! 

Breakfast
Guests of the host hotel are provided with a tasty and filling breakfast served every morning in the cafe off the lobby; featuring eggs, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, cereals, tea, coffee, and juices. If you are not staying at the hotel and would like to have breakfast you may purchase a meal ticket at the hotel front lobby for 5 dollars per person per day.
 
Welcome Supper
Friday evening will feature a welcome event at the hotel with a complimentary meal will be hosted by BOTOP members.  This year local favorites Magpies Pizza and Eegee’s sandwiches will be available poolside along with soft drinks and optional beer, wine, and liquors at a cash bar.
 
Fiesta Banquet
Saturday night continues our traditional Fiesta Banquet and entertainment in the poolside banquet halls. Catered by the Randolph Hotel’s chef we’ll feature another delicious meal with a variety of fine entrees, sides, deserts, beverages, and a cash bar.
 
Sunday Afternoon BBQ
Sunday afternoon and early evening will feature a poolside cookout hosted again by our friends at the Gay Men’s Health Project. Grab your buns and fill it with your choice of meats and garnish to your hearts content! A cash bar will be available.
 
Will I have a good time?
We’ve done the hard work (ok, it was really easier than you might think) of creating a laidback, friendly, and warm event. You just have to join us so what are you waiting for?!