Explore Caddyâs Bear Lairs: A Tiny-World Adventure Through Cadillac
Caddy Bear has been busy exploring all his favorite places in Cadillac and now youâre invited to follow along! Each stop on the Bear Lair Adventure Trail celebrates creativity, community, and the magic of seeing the world through a childâs eyes. From books and tea to rock stars and even a snow covered yeti, every stop has a story to tell. We give a special thanks to Marla Courtney and the community partners who created this imaginary world for us to enjoy: Jam & Bread, CAPS Crew, Wexford County 4-H, MSU Extension, AmeriCorps, Charmellow Design, the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau and dozens of talented, local students!
1. âMore Than Just Cowsâ at the Wexford 4-H/MSU Extension Office
Created by Wexford County 4-H kids, this diorama is a fun reminder that 4-H truly is more than just cows. Caddy has been a card-carrying member since he was just a cub and this first bear lair shows the wide variety of programs our local 4-H offers. Beyond farm animals and fairs, activities include baking, archery, floral design, babysitting, and more. Look for the cows working on all kinds of unexpected projects in this creative display at the 4-H/MSUE Office.
2. âThe Tea Roomâ at Wildflour Bakery
By: Marla Courtney’s “Mildred & Mary”. This charming tea room honors a friendship that began at the 2022 Festival of the Arts. Created with vintage miniatures and heartfelt details, it celebrates the simple joy of sharing a cup together. Down to every last detail, this recreation of the Wildflour kitchen is spot on! From the hand drawn art and tea cup covered walls to the rolling pin wall; you have to stop into Wildflour and see it to believe it. Caddy recommends grabbing a boba tea before you go!
3. Find âThe Bike Pathâ at Einstein Cycles
The CAPS Crew at Franklin Elementary has captured one of Caddy Bearâs favorite activities, enjoying the McKellop Walkway along Lake Cadillac. These students created a magical miniature bike path inspired by the real trails that stretch miles around the downtown (and all the way to Grand Rapids via the White Pine Trail). When the street lamps come on in this display at Einstein Cycles, it gives golden hour vibes!
The Bear Lairs are a fun and innovative way to engage youth in mindfulness and creative arts. They create a story while building a miniature world that requires them to slow down and focus on the small details. Our members created a “more than just cows” display, with cows doing different 4-H projects to show the variety of 4-H in a funny way. The coolest part is that the different Lairs represent parts of our community and connect us all together.
4. âPlant One on Me!â at Main Street Floral
The CAPS Crew kids from Mackinaw Trail Middle School built this display from recycled beads, repurposed placemats, and leftover floral pieces. This plant-shop scene is full of creative problem-solving, located within an actual flower shop! They worked as a team to design and build this cozy space where greenery grows wild with imagination.
5. âKISS Diorama” at The Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
Leave it to Jam & Bread to create a diorama INSIDE a diorama! This funky bear lair recreates the legendary 1975 KISS concert in the Cadillac High School gym. Look closely to see if you can spot the tiny diorama hidden within this miniature scene.
Visit the Chamber fifty years later and you will find the rock-and-roll spirit of that iconic day still echoes through Cadillac.
6. âCritter Christmasâ at Horizon Books
In a partnership between Gopherwood Concerts and Jam & Bread, this scene was Inspired by a longtime local tradition of decorating trees with natural treats for wildlife and celebrates year-round giving. This festive bear lair, built by Marla Courtney and the Davis family, features tiny gophers celebrating Christmas in their woodland home.
Living in the Horizon Book store, Itâs a cheerful nod to the community spirit behind Gopherwoodâs annual Wassail holiday concert.
We are excited to partner in the promotion of this new Bear Lairs tour! With Caddy Bear as our stewardship and sustainability mascot, this traveling adventure is a great way to get visitors and residents moving through our locally owned shops to see these amazing displays.
7. âUncle Arcticaâ at Threads North
When summer heat gets intense, Caddy cools off by visiting his cousin Avalanche at Uncle Arctica. CAPS Crew Lincoln Elementary students imagined a frosty world filled with yetis, snow-covered mountains and hints of Caddyâs mythical extended family. Keep an eye out, the Threads North Sasquatch is known to wander downtown for souvenirs.
9. âThe Libraryâ at Chunky Bear Coffee Roasters
The CAPS Crew at Forest View Elementary made the first “bear lair” ever created! This cozy book nook was built by students using a kit. They learned teamwork, patience and how to wrangle lots of tiny pieces. Itâs perfectly imperfect and can be found at Chunky Bear, where you can enjoy a hot drink and a good read in Downtown Cadillac.
8. âSpooky Sophieâs Halloween Bashâ at GT Vinyl
Jam & Bread created this scene in loving memory of Sophia Hinkley. This bear lair honors her joy for Halloween and the community that carries her spirit forward. Each year, her family hosts âSpooky Sophieâs Halloween Bash,â and GT Vinyl supports the event, along with their own rooftop concert. This miniature celebrates Sophiaâs magic in every tiny detail.
