The first thing you might notice as you enter The Folsom Street Fair will be the man on the corner –I think someone pays him to stand there every year-- wearing a piss-drenched Speedo and a sign around his neck that says Human Urinal. But don’t worry if you haven’t had enough to drink. Just relax, hit the next beer tent, and keep your eyes open; there will be infinite opportunities to pee on people as you stroll through the human freak show that congregates annually in SoMa for the Granddaddy of all Leather Events. And if golden showers aren’t your thing, that’s cool too. Just plop down on a bike-powered dildo chair or catch a quick public flogging at a sex booth. Join a circle jerk. Spit on a slave. Do whatever your kinky heart desires, because the city’s freak flag is at full mast.
Now in its 25th year, the Folsom Street Fair is a celebration of sexual depravity and leather-clad hedonism. This sounds strange when you do the math: for a festival to regularly draw crowds of 400,000 or more in a city with less than a million people, it must appeal to the masses. But if you peer closely into the bondage masks, you’ll probably recognize many of the parade goers. Like it or not, most of the gimps, dominatrices, and casual spectators that attend the fair are your neighbors. Folsom may be weird in the grand arc of the universe, but it’s par-for-the-course in good old San Francisco. So why haven’t you gone yet?
Well, there’s still a chance. The 2008 Folsom Street Fair kicks off this Sunday, September 28 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Just follow our guide to make sure you get the most out of your weekend.
What to Expect
The Folsom Street Fair may seem like it’s geared specifically toward gay men, but there’s plenty to do, see, touch, and hear for all genders and orientations. This year’s musical guests include Berlin, The Presets, Shiny Toy Guns, and 80’s pop icon Julie Brown, among many others. All of this, plus countless sex booths, BDSM displays, stage shows, and interactive torture exhibits. The beer flows aplenty and food tents are stationed throughout SoMa to keep people loose and uninhibited.
What to Wear
This is your last chance of the year to go out in broad daylight wearing clothes that would make your Midwestern father disown you, so don’t hold back. A leather vest and a pair of undies will work in a pinch, but if you really want to turn some heads you’ll have to drop some cash at a fetish boutique. Thankfully, San Francisco is teeming with them. Stop by Mr. S. Leather, for restraints, hoods, muzzles, and masks and then head over to The Stormy Leather Retail Boutique for corsets and metal cock rings like mom used to make. If you can’t find what you need at either of these SoMa staples, don’t worry; Good Vibrations, Leather Etcetera, and Madame S (Mr. S’s Sister boutique for women) will have whatever you need.
Where to Go
The Folsom Street Fair is officially restricted to Folsom Street between Seventh and Twelfth Avenues, but that’s just the heart of the show. Afterward, check out some of nearby clubs and “play spaces.” The Power Exchange, Powerhouse, The Eagle Tavern, Blow Buddies, and The Stud are all within stumbling distance from the main event and will be sleazin’ out from dusk till dawn.
Admission to The Folsom Street Fair is free (with a suggested donation of $5.00).
Click here for more info on The Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco CA
All photos of The Folsom Street Fair 2007 c/o FredAlert
