Visitors and Chicagoans gathered at Charlies Chicago, 3726 N. Broadway, on April 7 to kick off the Illinois Bear Contest weekend, the first since 2019. The contest itself took place the following evening at Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave. the 2023 Winners included Subzero Onyx (Illinois Bear), Marshal Temple (Illinois Cub), Cheshire Capriccio Onyx (Illinois Hunter) and Aurora Gainsborough (Illinois Mama Bear).
Illinois Bear Contest Meet & Greet at Charlie's, April 7, and Illinois Bear Contest at LA&M, April 8, photos by Joseph Stevens