A Day in the Life of a Fairbear

10:08 a.m.

I zip up the fuzzy brown suit with my human hand before I slip into the paws that will soon be handing out shakes and high-fives. Then I pop on my big, bear head and everything gets dark. But it doesn’t matter what it’s like on the inside because on the outside, I’m a Fairbear. I’m the distributor of laughs, the epitome of fun, the titan of the Thrillway, the colossus of buffoonery.

10:59 a.m.

It’s almost time for my entrance on the Kidz Biz stage. The song “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book” beckons me out to greet my tiny admirers.

Through the small viewing space in the mask, I can see that some of the kids aren’t sure what to do. Do they run up and say hello? Stay with their parents and watch from a distance? Or get as far away from the big, brown bear as possible?

A small swarm of kids timidly come forward, some give me high-five’s, while others poke at the costume and some want to give me a big bear hug.

11:06 a.m.

Parents gather around like the paparazzi, taking pictures of their children with the Fairbear. Maybe this will hit TMZ by next week. In this suit, I’m a parent’s perfect photo op. This is the easy part; all I have to do is wave and give hugs. The next part is a little trickier in this cumbersome costume.

11:09 a.m.

“The Fairbear will be doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide,’ so stick around and dance with the Fairbear!” says my Fairbear assistant. If only it were as easy as it sounds. This cumbersome costume makes the hops, stomps, crisscrosses and claps an awkward routine, more than a dance, but the kids are into it, and so are some of the adults. The kids look at me like I’m a Fairbear rock star!

11:12 a.m.

I pantomime wiping sweat off my bear brow and come down off the stage for final hugs and photos with the kids. By this time the kids are already wandering away, screaming for a cotton candy and to visit the animals in the West Hall.

My duty as a Fairbear is done here. And the Fairbear fades in to obscurity … until next time. It’s fun to have so many kids be excited to see you, but it also feels good to be out of that giant bear head.