Our Neighborhood S&M Street Fair

There was a time when the Folsom Street Fair billed itself as "Your friendly, neighborhood S&M street fair.” It is still a friendly group and I have photographed it a few times in the past, only now it is no longer exactly in my neighborhood. Still walking distance away, but definitely out of the neighborhood. And while outfits have gotten lots more interesting, the event has actually become more conservative over the years. I mean, time was the gathering was held in a commercial area near the river and went on well into the night. Yeah, exactly what you are thinking.

Over the years, the Facist forces of new gentrification in the West Village have pushed the venue North. Miserable bastids all. One new and expensive hotel sued to block the fair on account of the street was actually viewable from guest rooms. I would have figured this would have been a selling point. This is the same hotel where, it is rumored, masked guests put on late night sex shows in the windows of upper floor rooms. These shows have become a draw for evening strollers on the High Line. 

Anyway, this year it was all hanging out on West 27^th Street – which is truly nowhere - and now everything ends well before dark. I suspect it is only a matter of time before the whole thing moves to the Javits Center, with Ben & Jerry's as a corporate sponsor.

This year, there were lots more commercial booths then there used to be. Some of them sell scary stuff. Many give out free samples. My favorite this year was a sample packet of “Gun Oil Silicone Lubricant.” Despite it's name, I don't think it is intended for use on firearms. On the plus side, it is made with Vitamin E and Aloe. 

Fine Print: I am sure I will get some flack over picking these photos to post here.  They may not be typical of the crowd, but they are the ones I found most interesting.  Or maybe a bit more disturbing.  I don't get the masks. I do like the look.  And it is my frigging blog, so I get to pick!

The End.

(sorry, couldn't resist!)