At the culmination of an evening that started with a bagpipe player and 12 men in kilts, MASSBEARZ awarded the title of Mr. Boston Bear to Dorchester’s Mark Butler. The contest was a day-long effort that included a series of formal interviews, as well as rounds that measured stage presence, community leadership and potential fundraising abilities. Butler was chosen from a field of 12 contestants with Solomon Balaban as first runner-up and Butler’s partner, Nelson Fernandes, as second. Balaban was also honored with the Brother Bear Award from his fellow contestants. The evening was sponsored by the Fenway Institute and Club Cafe and judges included prior and present title holders from around New England, author Ron Suresha, and Boston Spirit’s own John O’Connell. The evening was expertly emceed by the then current Mr Boston Bear, Stephen Hogan.
