Folsom Street Fair
It’s just a little over a week until Folsom this year and I’m planning on being there, although I haven’t made any plans yet (later today hopefully). Here’s a little blurb from their website that explain what Folsom is for anyone that may not know:
In 2008 the world’s largest leather event, the Folsom Street Fairtm, will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The Folsom Street Fair is a true San Francisco original. With over 400,000 people in attendance covering 13 city blocks, the Fair is the largest leather/fetish event in the world and the third largest, single-day outdoor event in California. Folsom Street Events is thrilled to celebrate the historic 25th Folsom Street Fair with style and a week’s worth of truly outstanding events and programs over the course of San Francisco Leather Week.
Last year in 2007 was my first time attending and it was my first big leather event and 2nd big gay event outside of Minnesota. Folsom 2007 met many of my expectations, but many fell very far short. My first impression of the gay mecca was not the transcendant and surreal experience I expected. Instead it was fast-paced and self-centered. I had talked with a couple guys online before going that happened to be on my connecting flight to SF. These guys ended up becoming my roommates here in Texas, and that was a very good thing. The 3 of us attended the Big Muscle Meet and Greet. It was awesome seeing so many big hot muscle guys there.
One of the hotties at Folsom 2007. If you look closely, he shaved in some abs.
We also went to the Magnitude party on Saturday night. It’s a bunch of muscle and other leather boys gathered all together. Which sounds cool, until you realize that they are all tweaked out and it was 500 billion degrees in the place. Dungeon Beds provided about 5 beds that anyone could use for a variety of things from fucking to fisting to sucking. I may have even participated and let a guy suck my cock. The fisting and fucking was very hot to watch. I don’t plan to go back to Magnitude anytime soon.
Sunday was the actual Street Fair which was pretty good, but didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Of course you had the naked people, and some jacking off, but I didn’t see any sex happening. There were also many more straight people there than I expected.
Even though last year wasn’t quite what I expected, it was also my introduction to the global leather community. I’m going back this year with different expectations and different plans. I’m planning to be there Friday Sept 26th and will be leave Tuesday Sept 30th. I’m hoping to make a lot of friends, buy some toys, and come back with some stories. Let me know if you’re going to be in the area.
I was able to go back in 2006 via a conference in San Jose. Folsom Fringe (http://www.folsomfringe.com/node/3) is held in San Jose every year. Here is a blurb from the webpage: “Folsom Fringe is the signature event of smOdyssey, Inc. It is held every year on the same weekend as the world famous Folsom Street Fair. FolsomFringe is a wonderful complement to other Folsom Street Fair activities for leather folks of all persuasions.FolsomFringe is the signature event of smOdyssey, Inc. It is held every year on the same weekend as the world famous Folsom Street Fair. FolsomFringe is a wonderful complement to other Folsom Street Fair activities for leather folks of all persuasions.”
On sunday they provide bus service to the fair. It was great but I’ve learned that next time I go I will take the earliest bus that I can. Because it get crowded fast in the afternoon. Not that I didn’t mind have to roll slow at crotch level and having to occasionally touch folks to get them out of my way. Next time I’ll spend more time drooling over my favorite porn stars.
I wish I could go this year. I was trying to get invite to go with my friends that are going but my wheelchair would take up too much room in the trunk because I know that would be one fun weekend!!! They can be quite wild and I can be such a pig around them.
Hope you have a great time this year. I know I’m going next year, I’ll have money saved up for wonderful toy and things and I’ll also have lots of gym time logged on my body.
Take lots of pictures for us to look at!