Boyertown Person of the Year-- Special Recognition: BEAR FEVER

by Lesley Misko 

Walk the streets of Boyertown, and you’ll quickly understand what locals mean when they talk about “Bear Fever.” Colorful, larger-than-life bear sculptures dotting the town have become an emblem of Boyertown pride, a testament to creativity, collaboration, and the power of public art. And at the heart of it all are Jane and Paul Stahl, the husband-and-wife duo whose vision helped turn a whimsical idea into a community-wide movement.

“Boyertown has caught Bear Fever and we’re not looking for a cure,” says Jane Stahl with a smile. Together with her husband Paul, she launched the Bear Fever project over two decades ago, bringing the Boyertown Area School District mascot to life in the form of fiberglass bear sculptures—each painted with distinctive flair and sponsored by local businesses, civic groups, and families.

The idea sparked when Paul, a graphic designer and marketing consultant, became intrigued by Chicago’s 1999 “Cows on Parade” exhibit. A few years later, Jane experienced “Party Animals” in Washington, D.C.— a display of elephant and donkey sculptures representing America’s political parties. Inspired by these projects, the couple envisioned their own version with a local twist: bears.

What started as an ambitious dream quickly gained traction. A grant helped launch the project, but it was community passion that carried it forward. “We knew that if we contacted enough people, one out of 10 would say, ‘Yeah, tell me about the project.’ And one out of those 10 would say, ‘Yeah, I’ll sponsor a bear,’” Jane recalls.

Students played a pivotal role as well—handling marketing, logistics, and even painting some of the bears. “When the community people got involved, they fell in love with the students,” Jane says. That connection between generations was part of what made Bear Fever so special. The project also helped teach students some important lessons, Jane explains. “They learned that if you believe in something and work hard, you can make it happen. If roadblocks arise, you solve them.”

The 2004 Boyertown Area Progress Dinner helped propel the initiative into the spotlight. The first group of over 30 bears was subsequently unveiled at the Boyertown Area High School Arts Expo. Today, more than 90 bears grace the region. Jane reflects, “I knew people would like the bears and find them cute, but I had no idea how beloved those bears would become.”

The project’s reach goes far beyond the artwork itself. Jane and Paul’s commitment to community engagement and the arts has rippled throughout Boyertown. Jane, a former language arts teacher, is the Director of Community Relations for Studio B Art Gallery, host of the B Inspired podcast, and co-editor of the digital publication The Boyertown Area Expression. She has also played a role in Building a Better Boyertown and chairs the town’s Arts & Activities Alliance. Jane finds inspiration in sharing people’s stories and celebrating their talents.

Paul, through his business, Stahl Marketing, Advertising, and Design, has contributed branding and promotional work to numerous local initiatives. Though he often prefers to work behind the scenes, Paul’s creative fingerprints are everywhere— from business logos to the Bear Fever icon itself. He also spent 25 years as a member of the Optimist Club and helped launch the Raccoon Club, a local community group.

Both Jane and Paul have their favorite bears. For Jane, it’s Juju, a bear painted by Sue Biebuyck—Director of Studio B—located outside the Firefly Café. “Juju symbolizes the relationship Sue and I have built while developing the town’s art gallery,” she says.

Jane further admires Spike, painted by Bob Williams. Spike is a quirky, spiked-hair bear with a fly on his tooth; however, he was relocated when his sponsor business left the area. Also making Jane’s list of favorites is a trio, some of which are displayed in front of various businesses along Philadelphia Avenue: Boyertown Area Marching Unit Bear, American Legion Bear, and Body Borneman Heisman Trophy Bear – because of the incredibly detailed artwork painted by Doug Davidheiser.

Paul’s favorite is Logo Bear, displayed outside the law offices of Karver and Boyd. It features the Bear Fever logo he designed, painted by Jeff Graber of Graber Lettering.

“The bears made art important in the community and they bring people together to see them,” Jane says. “Paul is an artist and while he may not say it, adding art to the place where he grew up and has spent his life is important to him. It’s a legacy for both of us.”

That legacy includes not only the artwork but the values behind it: collaboration, creativity, and community pride. Some bears commemorate local history or introduce new businesses; others memorialize loved ones. Some hold “secrets”—like Gilbert Bear at Gilbertsville Elementary, whose grassy base is stamped with the fingerprints of former students now in their early 30s.

Bear Fever has made hometown pride and spirit a trademark of the area. Even now, the project continues to grow, with three new bears currently awaiting their turn to be painted. It is not unusual to see visitors in town clustered around the bears, posing for photos. People post about them on Facebook.

There may never be a cure for Bear Fever—and that’s just fine with Jane and Paul Stahl.

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