In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Mississippi to go on a bear hunt, in Sharkey County, to be exact. The precise location of the hunt is unknown, although history agrees that it was somewhere in Rolling Fork.
However, what is known is that President Roosevelt’s hunt resulted in the birth of one of America’s most beloved childhood toys, the Teddy Bear.
“President Roosevelt was guided to an area to wait, gun in hand, for Holt Collier, hunting guide extraordinaire, to drive a black bear to him.
However, it took longer than the President expected, and he grew tired and wanted to eat lunch. Shortly afterward, Mr. Collier drove a bear to the President’s location only to find him not there.
To ensure the President had an opportunity to get a bear, Mr. Collier stunned the bear, tied it to a tree, and brought it to the bear.
President Roosevelt declined, stating that killing a bear tied to a tree would be unsportsmanlike.
The story of the President not taking the shot made its way to NYC, and a toy store owner started calling stuffed bears Teddy’s Bear in honor of President Roosevelt’s famous hunt.” ~The Great Delta Bear Affair
The Great Delta Bear Affair Festival, celebrated every October, is organized by a committee of community members and representatives of local, state, and federal wildlife and natural resource agencies. These dedicated committee members, along with outreach project groups focused on the repatriation of the Louisiana Black Bear in Mississippi, are passionate about creating an event that celebrates the history and culture of the Delta while also raising awareness about black bears in The Magnolia State. Coupled with the history and culture of the South Delta area, this is a one-of-a-kind event.
As a project of Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership, the Great Delta Bear Affair brings in thousands of people across Mississippi and the South who have a fascination with the now-growing population of bears in the state.
The 2023 Great Delta Bear Affair will take place in downtown Rolling Fork on October 28. Although still reeling from the devastating March 24 tornado that destroyed much of the area, the Bear Affair committee felt strongly about putting on a festival for the community.
“The community needs this. We need to feel some sense of normalcy. We need to have some fun and hear some great live music. We need the Great Delta Bear Affair. However, the festival will look different this year, as does its setting,” festival coordinator Meg Cooper said. “Rolling Fork needs a festival. We need something positive to look forward to. We need something to celebrate. So, we decided to move ahead with the Great Delta Bear Affair.”
This year’s theme is fitting: “Bearly Here but Building Back.”
The planning committee decided that part of building back means going back to the foundations of the festival.
“We decided that we wanted to return to our roots and invite some of the original artists that helped us get where we are,” Cooper said. “Many people suggested we take advantage of the disaster and invite a big act, but Rolling Fork doesn’t have the capacity to handle that right now.”
This year’s entertainment roster includes country rocker Walker Wilson, who recently competed on The Voice. Wilson’s grandparents are from Sharkey County, and he grew up attending the Great Delta Bear Affair. Keith Johnson, great nephew of hometown Blues legend Muddy Waters, will return with his classic Blues’ sound. Everybody’s favorite Elvis impersonator, Tim Johnson, will be on stage. Additionally, Crescent Circus, who appeared for the first time last year, will return with a new act.
While the music slate will last from 10 a.m. to 5: p.m., there will also be plenty of activities for the kids, including blow-up playhouses, slides, and an art tent. Freedom Ranch: Wildlife Outreach and Education Center from Purvis will present their Animal Outlaw show. Additionally, there will be Mound Tours as well.
Although the committee is returning to the basics, some exciting venue changes will occur. The Bear Bash and Silent Auction, held the Thursday before the Bear Affair, will take place at the historic Mont Helena, which amazingly, was unharmed during the recent tornado. A portion of auction proceeds will go toward tornado recovery, as will the $5 Bear Affair admission fee.
The Friday conservation education day for fourth graders will take place at the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor’s Center near Onward.
“They allow partner organizations to use the center from time to time, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for students to see the center,” said Cooper. She said the usual conservation organizations will be present to give educational presentations.
There will also be “Bear Repair.”
There are several bear carvings so far in Rolling Fork, and thanks to chainsaw bear carver Dayton Scoggins, they’ve all been repaired. Plus, he has carved a new addition for visitors and locals to “hunt” when they visit the small but mighty Delta town.
The Great Delta Bear Affair was first held in 2002 in observation of the 100th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt’s historical bear hunt in Sharkey County. This year, the festival will continue to celebrate Rolling Fork’s history as it looks to an even brighter future. Rolling Fork might be “Bearly Here,” but they are building back better and stronger than ever.
