Cocaine Bear: Wedding Officiator Or Illegal Drug Mascot?

In March 2023, a Kentucky couple, Alexandra Venturino and Armando Elizondo, were married by the 'Cocaine Bear'—a 175-pound black bear that died of a cocaine overdose in 1985. The bear, nicknamed Pablo Eskobear, was the inspiration for the 2023 film 'Cocaine Bear', starring Keri Russell and Alden Ehrenreich. The wedding took place at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where the bear has been on display since 2015. While the bear did not legally marry the couple—Kentucky law requires marriages to be presided over by a human—the ceremony was open to the public and was followed by a legally binding ceremony officiated by the mall's co-founder, Griffin VanMeter.

The Cocaine Bear's authority to officiate weddings

The Cocaine Bear, or "Pablo Esco-bear", is the stuffed corpse of a 175-pound black bear that died of a cocaine overdose in 1985. The bear was the subject of a recent film, *Cocaine Bear*, directed by Elizabeth Banks. The film is a fictionalised account of the true story of a bear that overdosed on cocaine when a shipment of the drug was dropped from a plane by smugglers in Georgia in 1985.

The bear has been on display at the Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington since 2015 and has become a popular tourist attraction. In March 2023, the mall's co-founder, Griffin VanMeter, announced that the bear would be available to preside over marriages. This announcement sparked interest from many couples, with some even inquiring about the possibility of having the bear officiate their wedding.

According to Kentucky law, marriages must be presided over by a human. However, VanMeter stated that "as long as you feel that the person marrying you — like Cocaine Bear — has the authority, then that marriage can be binding here in Kentucky." This statement suggests that the bear's authority to officiate weddings is based on the couple's belief in its authority rather than any legal standing.

The first couple to be married by the Cocaine Bear was Alexandra Venturino and Armando Elizondo, who travelled from Pikeville, Kentucky, for the unique ceremony. The wedding took place on Monday, March 27, 2023, and was open to the public. The bear was dressed in a top hat and flanked by flowers and a large movie poster advertising the film *Cocaine Bear*. A speaker was set up behind the bear to conduct the ceremony, with VanMeter reciting the vows and pronouncing the couple husband and wife.

To ensure the marriage was legally binding, VanMeter, who is ordained, held a second official ceremony after the one officiated by the bear. The Kentucky Fun Mall has since announced that they plan to institute a wedding fee for couples wishing to be married by the Cocaine Bear, though the exact amount has not been disclosed.

The bear's popularity as a wedding officiant

The "Cocaine Bear" has become an unlikely wedding officiant, with his first ceremony taking place in March 2023. The bear, also known as "Pablo Escobear", is a taxidermied black bear that died of a cocaine overdose in 1985. The story goes that the bear found a duffel bag of cocaine that had been flung from a plane by a drug smuggler. This tale inspired the 2023 film "Cocaine Bear", starring Elizabeth Banks, which brought the bear to the public's attention.

Following the film's release, the real-life "Cocaine Bear" became something of a tourist attraction at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where he has been on display since 2015. The mall's co-founder, Griffin VanMeter, first floated the idea of the bear officiating weddings in an interview with Roadside America. This sparked interest from many couples, with some even willing to travel long distances for the unique ceremony.

The bear's first wedding ceremony was between couple Alexandra Venturino and Armando Elizondo, who made the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Pikeville, Kentucky, to tie the knot. The ceremony was complete with flowers, glowing hearts, and a large movie poster advertising the "Cocaine Bear" film. A speaker was set up behind the bear to conduct the ceremony, with VanMeter reading the vows and pronouncing the couple husband and wife.

The legality of a marriage officiated by a stuffed bear

The legality of a marriage depends on the country in which it takes place. In the United States, for example, a marriage is considered legal as long as the marriage license is filed, completed, and returned. However, this may not be the case in other countries, as many nations have different requirements and restrictions for officiants.

In France, for instance, marriages can only be legally conducted in town halls by the mayor or an associate. Similarly, in Italy, marriages are typically officiated by the mayor or senior town employees and councillors acting as their delegates. In some countries, such as Austria and Germany, a civil ceremony is required for the marriage to be legally binding, and a religious ceremony can be held afterward.

In the case of the "Cocaine Bear" wedding in Kentucky, the marriage may be considered legal if both parties recognize the authority of the bear as the officiant. According to Griffin VanMeter, co-founder of Kentucky for Kentucky, "As long as you feel that the person marrying you — like Cocaine Bear — has the authority, then that marriage can be binding here in Kentucky."

While the stuffed bear itself cannot deliver the lines of the ceremony, a speaker was set up behind it to conduct the wedding between Alexandra and Armando. This unique wedding ceremony was open to the public and attracted a lot of attention due to the popularity of the movie "Cocaine Bear."

The logistics of the bear officiating a wedding

The logistics of a bear officiating a wedding might seem like a challenge, but for the "Cocaine Bear", it's a reality. Here's how it all came together:

Location

The wedding took place at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where the stuffed bear has been on display since 2015. The mall, a souvenir and clothing shop, provided a unique and memorable setting for the ceremony.

Officiant

The star of the show, "Cocaine Bear", or "Pablo Escobear", as he is affectionately known, took on the role of officiant. The bear, who gained fame from his tragic story and a recent movie, became the centrepiece of the wedding. A speaker was set up behind the bear to conduct the ceremony, with a voice reading out the vows and officiating the marriage.

Couple

The couple, Alexandra Venturino and Armando Elizondo, were the first to be married by the "Cocaine Bear". They made the journey from Pikeville, Kentucky, to Lexington for their unique wedding ceremony. The couple wanted a memorable wedding, and that's exactly what they got with the "Cocaine Bear" presiding over their nuptials.

Legality

While the ceremony itself was conducted by the bear, there were questions about the legality of the marriage. Kentucky law requires marriages to be presided over by a human, so to ensure the wedding was legally binding, Griffin VanMeter, the co-owner of the store, officiated a second ceremony. This ensured that the couple's marriage was valid and recognised by the state.

Public Event

The wedding was open to the public, and curious spectators were invited to attend. The event drew attention due to the unusual choice of officiant, creating a festive and celebratory atmosphere. The couple's unique choice of officiant also sparked interest from other couples, with a waiting list of people wanting to get married by the "Cocaine Bear".

The bear's first wedding ceremony

The "Cocaine Bear" presided over his first wedding as an officiant on a Monday in March 2023. The ceremony was held at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where the stuffed bear has been on display since 2015. The couple, Alexandra Venturino and Armando Elizondo, drove for two and a half hours from Pikeville, Kentucky, to be married by the bear.

The bear, also known as "Pablo Escobear," wore a top hat for the occasion and was flanked by flowers perched on makeshift Greek columns. A large movie poster for the film "Cocaine Bear" was placed to his left. The bride wore a white dress, while the groom wore a white shirt and jeans.

The ceremony was open to the public and drew some curious spectators. A speaker was set up behind the bear to conduct the ceremony, with the bear's voice saying:

> We are gathered here today to 'bear' witness and to celebrate Armando and Alexandra in holy, high matrimony. By the power vested in me by all the cocaine I ate and blew, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

After the ceremony, the couple's marriage was made official by Kentucky for Kentucky co-founder Griffin VanMeter, who got ordained to hold a second, binding ceremony. VanMeter had previously stated that "as long as you feel that the person marrying you — like Cocaine Bear — has the authority, then that marriage can be binding here in Kentucky."

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