Folsom Street Fair

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The Folsom Street Fair marks the end of Leather Pride Week in San Francisco, California
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The Folsom Street Fair marks the end of Leather Pride Week in San Francisco, California
Bondage demonstration at the 2003 Folsom Street Fair
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Bondage demonstration at the 2003 Folsom Street Fair
Partial suspension bondage demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2005.
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Partial suspension bondage demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2005.

The annual Folsom Street Fair is held on the last Sunday in September and caps San Francisco's Leather Pride Week. The Folsom Street Fair, sometimes simply referred to as Folsom, is located on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets, in San Francisco's South of Market district. It was started in 1984 and is the world's largest leather event.

As one of the few occasions when such activities are performed in public, in broad daylight, it attracts a considerable number of sightseeers. Although the costumes and activities can be eye-opening, it is as a whole very peaceful and non-threatening.[1]

The fair annually draws 400,000 visitors[2][3] including kinky leather fans from around the world, and is the third largest street event in California, after the Tournament of Roses Parade and San Francisco Pride parade.[4][5] Each year all proceeds from the Folsom Street Fair, including gate donations and beverage sales, are given to qualified local charities. These include AIDS charities and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The event generates over $250,000 annually for charity.[6]

Since 1997, a smaller event called Folsom Street East has been organized in New York City by GMSMA.[7][4]

Folsom Europe was established in Berlin in 2003 in order to bring the non-profit leather festival concept pioneered by the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco to Europe.[8][4]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco (Yelp) (2006-09-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  2. ^ (2006-10-04). Folsom Street Events produces biggest and best Folsom Street Fair on its 23rd birthday. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  3. ^ Folsom Street Events. Folsom Street Fair FAQ. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  4. ^ a b c Diana Cage. Radio Blowfish, Episode 4 http://www.blowfish.com/radio/. 2005-09-21. Podcast accessed on 2006-November 19
  5. ^ charles. Metroblgging San Francisco: Folsom Street Fair. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  6. ^ Folsom Street Events. Folsom Street Fair Beneficiaries. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  7. ^ Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA). Folsom Street East. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  8. ^ Folsom Europe e.V.. Folsom Europe. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.

[edit] External links

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