Folsom Street Fair
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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.<ref>Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco (Yelp) (2006-09-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref>
The fair annually draws 400,000 visitors<ref> (2006-10-04). Folsom Street Events produces biggest and best Folsom Street Fair on its 23rd birthday. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref><ref>Folsom Street Events. Folsom Street Fair FAQ. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref> 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.<ref name=blowfish>
Diana Cage. Radio Blowfish, Episode 4 http://www.blowfish.com/radio/. 2005-09-21. Podcast accessed on 2006-November 19</ref><ref>charles. Metroblgging San Francisco: Folsom Street Fair. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref> 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.<ref>Folsom Street Events. Folsom Street Fair Beneficiaries. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref>
Since 1997, a smaller event called Folsom Street East has been organized in New York City by GMSMA.<ref>Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA). Folsom Street East. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref><ref name=blowfish/>
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.<ref>Folsom Europe e.V.. Folsom Europe. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref><ref name=blowfish/>
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