The Folsom Street fair is the main event during a full weekend of activities. The fair takes place on -- you guessed it -- Folsom Street in "South of Market Street" (SOMA) area of San Francisco. The fair is actually from about 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, but there are plenty of parties to attend from Thursday through Monday following the fair.

Booths: The major porn studios have booths set up every few meters to take pictures with the actors selling DVDs, signing autographs, or distributors selling sex devices of all kinds or other GLBT community information. There was "Naked Twister" and a few other demonstrations such as how to paddle and/or whip, use a harness and that sort of thing. The booths are in the middle of the street and visitors walk up and down VERY crowded streets on both sides. There are places to buy beer ($7) or mixed drinks ($10) and some food. There can be long lines for the mobile bathrooms and bars along the route only allow patrons to use the facilities, so be prepared.

Music: There is music along a couple of side streets. In fact, there is pretty much an outdoor circuit party on one of the main cross streets. Unfortunately, the music was a bad mix of 90's trance and awful techno. The DJ didn't know what he was doing and sadly I don't think the crowd cared one bit.

The main parties on Friday and Saturday before the fair are Magnitude on Saturday and Real Bad on Sunday, nearby after the fair. The tickets to Real Bad are annoyingly difficult to get: you have to go online a certain number of days ahead of time; one of the party's "sponsors" must reserve a ticket for you; after a short period of a week or so, you can only get a ticket from retailers (such as the leather store in the Folsom Street area and a few others). It just seems like a big hassle but the party is worth it. Plan ahead or you will be stuck outside hours before the party waiting for the very few tickets sold at the door. I hope they change the method so that it becomes a first come first serve process like most other parties of this nature. The tickets are expensive too. Plan to spend $60-$80 per ticket, more at the door.

Before the parties you can get pumped at the local Gold's Gym nearby [there is also a Gold's in the Castro]. Many of the porn stars who attend the fair and night events workout there. $15-$20 daily guest pass.

Magnitude is a bit simpler to get into, although the $80 ticket price is not cheap. The party itself is fun and similar to other mega-club parties you have been to -- just that most of the party-goers are in leather gear (chaps, jocks, harnesses, or less). This year was at a new location. There was an entire darkroom area on the lower level that has just as large as the main floor. Plenty of hideaways and corners to get close. There was even a sling or two to keep the party going. Oddly, the sling was used more by women there than men. But it was still fun. The crowd dwindles about 5 or 6 a.m.

San Francisco, being one of the gayest cities in America, has plenty of bars and clubs to visit while there. The End Up (which has seen better days and used to host the Raging Stallion party) is a nearby option, as well as Blow Buddies, which is essentially a large darkroom. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along Folsom Street to enjoy as well. That part of town is up-and-coming (parts are run down while many blocks are fantastic) but it is NOT the Castro as many people would assume. It is near downtown, so if you are visiting JUST for Folsom, a downtown hotel may be a better option than one in or near The Castro. Walking to the fair in your leather harness and assless chaps may get a look or two but no one harrasses you.

Unfortunately, the fair has gotten quite commercial in that many (way too many) of the spectators are just there out of curiosity, not as part of the leather/levi/bear community. A lot of straight girls poking and giggling. It can be a bore.

I think the straight gawkers far out-numbered the participants who dressed for the occasion and were truly interested beyond the novelty of the leather community. The music street had more of a die-hard gay/leather group, although since it was less crowded, many people stood and chatted to get away from the massive crowds.

Folsom Street Fair is a must for serious leather/daddy types and those who love them. Be prepared to mix with often annoying straight onlookers. Plan ahead for the parties that are well worth it.