More than bears, Cairo’s art trail is about to get wilder

CAIRO―Beloved bear statuettes will once again grace the streets of Cairo, Round Top, Purling, Acra, South Cairo, and South Durham this summer. But they won’t be alone.

The much-anticipated public art project is set to feature not only bruins, but a menagerie of woodland companions that include stags, rabbits, foxes, box turtles and bald eagles.

“For those people who collect the bears, it’s a wonder how many of them you can really collect,” said Cairo Bears Community Art Project Coordinator Sherry B. True.

True’s solution was to mix things up, adding new animals to keep collectors interested, give artists more creative elbow room and offer sponsors something fresh to show off.

Afterall, she noted, Cairo is home to more than just bears.

The annual exhibit has been organized by the Cairo Development Foundation since 2018 and serves as a fundraiser for the organization’s Main Street Revitalization Program.

Local businesses choose which animal they want to sponsor and artists take it from there―turning fiberglass forms into eclectic, playful and unique masterpieces. All artists and sponsors for this year’s Cairo Bears & Woodland Animals have already been selected and locked in, True noted.

And while True coordinates the project, she is quick to credit others in what is a team effort. Grace Goodwin gathers sponsors, manages payments, and keeps communication flowing between artists and businesses. Yuliya Benoit, owner of The Art Hub on Main Street, supports the artists directly, assembling packages and supplies that help turn ideas into finished pieces.

“It’s a full-time job,” said True, adding that she is grateful for the support that makes it all possible.

This year’s bears, like previous years, stand at three feet tall. Sitting rabbits measure 21 inches in height, turtles are 35 inches long, foxes are 16 inches tall, and the stags stand at whopping 64 inches with their racks.

The 48-inch eagles are making a 2026-only appearance to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Three will be on display, with two going to auction and one being raffled off.

Bears & Woodland Animals will make their debut in May and be on display all summer before being auctioned off on September 20 at the Old Factory Brewing Company.

The auctions, True says, are “a lot of fun for everybody,” whether you’re bidding, browsing, or just soaking up the energy.