Wrangell Sentinel -

Dan Rudy/ Wrangell Sentinel

The official mascot for the Sixth Annual Alaska Bearfest is designed by artist Brenda Schwartz-Yeager. Each year, an artist or group decorates a new bear sculpture, which then gets posted around town in the lead-up to the festival. This year's design highlights a map of Wrangell, the Stikine River and Anan Observatory, incorporating Schwartz-Yeager's distinctive marine art style. Focusing on the theme of climate change, this year's festival kicked off yesterday and will continue through Sunday.