From medieval knights and fairies to mermaids, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is known for its eclectic cast of characters. However, this past weekend, a surprise guest stole the show.
On Sunday, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were called to the festival in Larkspur to deal with an uninvited visitor who refused to leave: an 80-pound black bear named Smoky.
Smoky wandered into the festival grounds and decided to take a break under one of the buildings. “Ironically, it was under a building that sold honeycombs,” the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office noted.
Deputies quickly moved all human guests away from the area and awaited assistance from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers. Despite the commotion, Smoky appeared unfazed. At one point, deputies observed Smoky playing with a ball while he rested in the shade.
Once CPW officers arrived, they safely removed Smoky from the festival and relocated him to a more suitable environment far from human activity.
The Colorado Renaissance Festival continues until August 4, featuring a different theme each weekend. For more information, you can check out this guide.
Interestingly, the number of human-bear conflicts in Colorado has decreased over the past few years. In 2023, there were 15% fewer interactions compared to 2022. Of the 3,526 human-bear conflicts last year, just over half resulted in some form of property damage.
If you encounter a black bear near your home, you can contact your local CPW region or submit a report online.
This recent bear encounter at the Renaissance Festival serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife. While the sight of Smoky playing and resting among the festival-goers might have been a whimsical addition to the event, it underscores the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife in their natural habitats.
Well, we can safely say that what we see at the Larkspur Ren Fest never disappoints!
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) July 9, 2024
On Sunday, #DCSO deputies had to deal with an uninvited guest who, quite frankly, did not want to leave. An 80-pound black bear, one they named Smoky, ventured onto the Ren Fest property and… pic.twitter.com/It4Fxda82F