Bearfootin' Bears presented to the public; map of their spots on Main Street

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News

HENDERSONVILLE - With heavy rain and thunderstorms in Western North Carolina on May 8, the annual Bearfootin' Bears reveal event was canceled, but the 20 new bears were still revealed by Friends of Downtown Hendersonville on its website.

Photos and descriptions of the 2024 Bearfootin' Bears.
Photos and descriptions of the 2024 Bearfootin' Bears.
A map shows the location of the 2024 Bearfootin' Bears.
A map shows the location of the 2024 Bearfootin' Bears.

The bears have now been placed at their permanent locations on Main Street and will be auctioned off in October, according to Jamie Carpenter, the downtown manager for the city of Hendersonville.

New this year, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville partnered with the Blue Ridge Community College Collision Repair Refinishing Technology Department to provide the automotive finishing for the bears, according to a news release. BRCC'S facility trains students in proper vehicle repair and replacement procedures to bring an automobile back to its pre-accident condition.

The "Out of the Blue" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
The "Out of the Blue" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
The "Flutter by Bear" is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
The "Flutter by Bear" is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.

“Working with Blue Ridge has been an amazing experience,” said Terrye Jacobs, downtown event coordinator, in the release. “Program instructor Brian Foster has been an incredible partner, encouraging community participation from his students in taking care of our bears. We are excited to build a great partnership with this program and their crew."

The bears will remain on Main Street to delight all who pass by, until the auction on Oct. 26 at the Historic Courthouse Plaza, the release said. Last year’s auction raised $102,000 for local charities. Virtual bidding will be open in September. All of the 2024 bears and their details can be found at hendersonvillenc.gov/2024bears.

Descriptions of each of the bears and their sponsors are listed below, along with their corresponding numbers for the map on Main Street.

"Enchanted Guardian" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
"Enchanted Guardian" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.

1. Enchanted Guardian

Sponsor: Laughing Elephant Yoga Artist: Miriam HughesBeneficiary: Safelight

2. Butterflies and Beary Tales

Sponsor: Smart Start Partnership for Children Artist Name: Jenny L. Camp Beneficiary: Smart Start Partnership for Children

3. Mountain Strong

"Mountain Strong" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
"Mountain Strong" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.

Sponsor: Hendersonville Family Dentistry Artist: Diamond Cash Beneficiary: Alicia Strong Foundation

4. Wylde Spirit

"Wylde Spirit" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
"Wylde Spirit" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.

Sponsor: Friends of Downtown Hendersonville Artists: Amy Weinsoff, Diana Levenson Beneficiary: Friends of Downtown Hendersonville

5. Invasion

Sponsor: Fazio Family Artists: Sofia Wertenberger, Sophia Croese Beneficiary: Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County

6. ARTy

"Arty" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.
"Arty" bear is one of the 20 new Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street in Hendersonville.

Sponsor: Patsy and John DuPre and Walt Slagel Artists: Phyllis Vaughn, Mary McCullah Beneficiary: The Art League of Henderson County

7. Galaxy of Hope

Sponsor: 1-800-BoardUp of Asheville Artist: Courtney Hoelscher Beneficiary: Only Hope WNC

8. Standing Tall Together

Sponsor: Carol and Bruce Radley/Always Best Care Senior Services Artist: Natalie Ray Beneficiary: Council on Aging for Henderson County

9. Honey & Hunter Yanu

Sponsor: Hunter Auto Group Artist Name: Hendersonville NC Rocks Beneficiary: American Legion Post No. 77

10. Forever Blue Ridge

Sponsor: Hendersonville Woman’s Club Artist: Lynn Genevish Beneficiary: Blue Ridge Humane Society

11. The Creative Horizon

Sponsor: Samantha Yaeger Goodrum Artist: Steph CharaskaBeneficiary: The Vagabond School of the Drama

12. Terra Skye

Sponsor: United Community Bank Artist: Teresa Duncan Beneficiary: Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM)

13. Flutter by Bear

Sponsor: The Arts Council of Henderson County Artist Name: Bethany Joy AdamsBeneficiary: The Arts Council of Henderson County

14. Hortense

Sponsor: Dennis and Victoria Flanagan Artist: Callie Rachel Vera Beneficiary: Blue Ridge Community College Horticulture Program

15. Out of the Blue

Sponsor: Art on 7thArtist: AnnMarie LeBlancBeneficiary: Anna’s Hope of Community Foundation of Henderson County

16. Buzzter Sobear

Sponsor: Hope Coalition Board MembersArtist: Alicia Eddy Beneficiary: Hope Coalition

17. BB the Blessing Bear

Sponsor: Henderson County Habitat for HumanityArtist: June Ellen Bradley Beneficiary: Henderson County Habitat for Humanity

18. Aila

Sponsor: BMW of Asheville Artist: Laura Bell Beneficiary: United Way of Henderson County

19. Beary Garcia

Sponsor: Grateful Mindset Properties Artists: Judy Dempsey, Judi Moolten, London Orzolek Beneficiary: Homes for Youth

20. Hope

Sponsor: The Hope Center of Hendersonville Artist: Becky Bonnema Beneficiary: The Hope Center of Hendersonville

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Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: New Bearfootin' Bears now on display along Main Street, Hendersonville

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