Bear Memorial
Okay, okay. Maymont Bear Memorial Pictures. Finally.
We got there a little late due to parking issues, very crowded, and first thing we see after getting near the bear is exhibit is...
Police horse butts! Yes, in case of bear memorial riots, Richmond's finest were there to stomp on us or something. I guess mounted police are scenic yet intimidating?
There were a ton of people there.
Even up on the hill overlooking the bear exhibit, I guess for a better view. It was very hard to see what was going on.
Lots of people really got into the spirit, wearing black or bear attire. This one couple each had a bear dressed up a baby.
Sad in the crazy kind of way.
The ceremonies were led by this bizarre honor guard of adolescent boy scouts. I think some hot jailbait eagle scouts or cute little boys would have been better.
There was a speech by Doug Wilder and some random religious denomination woman who told us to take the spirit of compassion out into our communities. I wasn't feeling anything but sad and angry, so whatever random religious lady. After all the talking there was time to look at the memorial memorabilia and shake hands/suck up to Doug Wilder.
Who is very orange in real life. I don't know why.
Memoribilia above the grave site.
Actual graves. The bears were cremated.
They had a little pile of dirt/mulch for the throwing.
This is the permanent memorial plaque.
And, after the memorial, everyone decided to take out their grief by...
STORMING THE POLICE HORSES!!! RIIIIOT!!!
And by riot I mean standing around and politely asking questions and petting horses, which were very cute.
And we stood around for like 10 minutes because SOMEONE just had to have her picture taken with a horse.
And that was the Bear Memorial Service.
We got there a little late due to parking issues, very crowded, and first thing we see after getting near the bear is exhibit is...
Police horse butts! Yes, in case of bear memorial riots, Richmond's finest were there to stomp on us or something. I guess mounted police are scenic yet intimidating?
There were a ton of people there.
Even up on the hill overlooking the bear exhibit, I guess for a better view. It was very hard to see what was going on.
Lots of people really got into the spirit, wearing black or bear attire. This one couple each had a bear dressed up a baby.
Sad in the crazy kind of way.
The ceremonies were led by this bizarre honor guard of adolescent boy scouts. I think some hot jailbait eagle scouts or cute little boys would have been better.
There was a speech by Doug Wilder and some random religious denomination woman who told us to take the spirit of compassion out into our communities. I wasn't feeling anything but sad and angry, so whatever random religious lady. After all the talking there was time to look at the memorial memorabilia and shake hands/suck up to Doug Wilder.
Who is very orange in real life. I don't know why.
Memoribilia above the grave site.
Actual graves. The bears were cremated.
They had a little pile of dirt/mulch for the throwing.
This is the permanent memorial plaque.
And, after the memorial, everyone decided to take out their grief by...
STORMING THE POLICE HORSES!!! RIIIIOT!!!
And by riot I mean standing around and politely asking questions and petting horses, which were very cute.
And we stood around for like 10 minutes because SOMEONE just had to have her picture taken with a horse.
And that was the Bear Memorial Service.