More Than Bears: Cairo’s Art Trail Gets Wilder

If you’ve spent any time cruising through the hamlets of Cairo, you’ve probably played the unofficial local game: How many bears can you spot before the light changes? The painted bears—cheerful, stoic, mischievous—have become familiar landmarks, the kind of public art you give directions by. But change is padding softly into town, and this time it doesn’t have claws.

Greene County Legislator Sherry B. True is helping guide the next chapter of the Cairo Bears art platform, and it looks a little less… beary. The beloved bears aren’t going anywhere, but they’re about to be joined by a small menagerie of woodland companions: turtles, stags, rabbits, foxes, and—just for this year—three American bald eagles.

The eagles are a limited-time appearance, released into the wild to help mark America’s 250th anniversary. After that, they’ll be gone, making this season’s collection a little rarer, a little more brag-worthy.

“For those people who collect the bears,” True said, “it’s a wonder how many of them you can really collect.” Her solution is simple and slyly smart: mix things up. Adding new animals keeps collectors interested, gives artists more creative elbow room, and offers sponsors something fresh to show off. Cairo, she notes, is more than just bears—and maybe always has been.

The idea isn’t without precedent. Nearby towns have proven that a well-placed statue can punch above its weight. The Catskill Cats and the Coxsackie Owls have drawn tourists, sparked selfies, and given locals something to look forward to year after year. Cairo’s expanded animal lineup aims to do the same, while staying true to its own character.

Sponsors from local businesses will be able to choose which animal appears near their establishment, and artists will take it from there—turning fiberglass forms into something eclectic, playful, and unmistakably local. The result is less a uniform herd and more a conversation between artist, sponsor, and street corner.

Behind the scenes, the project is very much a team effort. While True coordinates the Cairo Bears program, she’s quick to credit the help she receives. Grace Goodwin gathers sponsors, manages payments, and keeps communication flowing between artists and businesses. Yuliya Benoit of the local art hub supports the artists directly, assembling packages and supplies that help turn ideas into finished pieces.

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

The statues will be installed in May, then gathered up in the fall for a bit of cleanup before their final curtain call: the annual auction. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, at the Old Factory Brewing Company in Cairo. According to True, the auctions are “a lot of fun for everybody,” whether you’re bidding, browsing, or just soaking up the energy.

All artists and sponsors for this spring’s Cairo Bears—and their new animal counterparts—have already been selected and locked in. The auction of Cairo statues alternates every other year with the Catskill Cat auction, a bit of neighborly scheduling that keeps audiences from having to choose sides.

So when the new animals begin appearing around town this May, don’t be surprised if your usual bear-counting routine turns into something more adventurous. Cairo’s art trail is getting wilder, and that, it seems, is exactly the point.