Folsom Street Fair http://folsomstreetfair.org
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Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for your interest in the Folsom Street Fairtm and the Up Your Alley fair! The Folsom Street Fairtm takes place during San Francisco's Leather Pride Week, eight days of leather at the end of September. This is a week's worth of intense activity, with the Folsom Street Fairtm being the crowning finale to a festive time! Many bars, clubs and organizations have parties and events all during Leather Pride Week.

Selected events during Leather Pride Week and week before the Up Your Alley fair will be listed on the leather week page as information becomes available. Information on these parties and events is also published in most San Francisco gay publications. The information provided in this FAQ is meant to answer general questions for fair visitors and potential exhibitors as well as to provide additional information through links to other sites.

Folsom Street Events is not responsible for any information provided by outside links or other sources


What are the dates for the 2008 Fairs?
The Folsom Street Fairtm is always scheduled on the last Sunday in September. This year, the Folsom Street Fairtm is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Next year, 2009, the Folsom Street Fair will happen on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

The Up Your Alley Fair is always scheduled on the last Sunday in July. This year the Up Your Alley Fair (held on Dore Alley) is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Next year, 2009, the Up Your Alley Fair will happen on Sunday, July 26, 2009.
Where are the fairs?
The Folsom Street Fairtm is located in San Francisco's South of Market district on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets.

The Up Your Alley Fair is located in San Francisco's South of Market district on Dore Alley between Folsom and Howard Streets and the adjoining block of Folsom Street between 9th and 10th Streets. Both Fairs are handicap-accessible.

I've combed through the website and I can't find the ticket prices for the fairs?
Addmission to the Up Your Alley Fair and the Folsom Street Fair is free with a suggested donation of $5.00. Attendees who choose to provide the suggested donation receive a sticker which entitles them to $1.00 off all beverage prices.
I'm 20 years old (or 18 or 19), can I come to the fair?
Of course you can. We look forward to seeing you. While we don't have any age restrictions at the gates we do inform attendees of the adult oriented nature of our events. We also strictly enforce the 21 or over restriction on beer and liquor sales. So if you are under 21, please don't try and purchase alcohol. We will card you.
Can I ride my bike to the Fair?
Yes. That's a great idea. Folsom Street Events and the SF Bike Coalition have teamed up to bring you free bike check and $5.00 coat and bag check.
Is there handicap parking available?
Handicap parking at the Folsom Street Fairtm is available at the following locations. Signs will be posted.

The northwest corner of:

  • 11th & Harrison
  • 10th & Harrison
  • 9th & Harrison
  • 8th & Harrison
  • 7th & Harrison
The southwest corner of:
  • 11th & Harrison
  • 10th & Harrison
  • 9th & Harrison
  • 8th & Harrison
  • 7th & Harrison
How many people attend the fairs?
The Folsom Street Fairtm is a major international destination. More than 400,000 people attend this major leather event from all over the world every year.

The Up Your Alley Fair is a more local event, much the same as the Folsom Street Fairtm, except on a smaller scale. Approximately 12,000+ leatherfolk attend.
I'd like to help. Do you need volunteers?
Did you say volunteer? Come right this way. We rely on over 500 volunteers to help put on the fairs. Most are provided by our beneficiaries. However if you'd like more information you can be placed on our volunteer mailing list.
What about accommodations?
There is extensive lodging available in the South of Market district, mostly motels. Please see our Travel Deals section for special hotel offers. While there is no "host" or "official" hotel for either fair, Folsom Street Events encourages you to check out the hotels listed since they have generously agreed to support the fairs.

Some other area Hotels and Motels are a Ramada Limited as well as the Ramada Plaza Hotel nearby on Market Street, several Best Westerns, and a HoJo (Howard Johnson's) Inn. Other lodging is found throughout the city, including downtown San Francisco and the Union Square area. Downtown and Union Square are a long walk or short cab ride from the fair sites. All accommodations in San Francisco are required by law to be handicap-accessible.

YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO MAKE LODGING RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS YOUR TRAVEL PLANS ARE ESTABLISHED, AS AVAILABLE ROOMS SELL OUT VERY EARLY! Please contact your travel agent for further assistance!

What about transportation?
FROM THE AIRPORTS -- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 15 miles south of downtown San Francisco and the Fairs. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located directly east across San Francisco Bay from downtown San Francisco.

BART now takes you directly into the International Terminal at SFO. For US domestic flights, you can either walk or take a free AirTrain shuttle from the BART station to your terminal.

Bus and cab transportation is also available, as well as van shuttle services. Van service costs approximately $12 - $22 from SFO or OAK into San Francisco, one-way.

San Jose International airport (SJC) is also an option. SJC is approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco.


IN THE CITY -- San Francisco has extensive public transportation provided by MUNI (cable cars, buses, streetcars, subway trains); taxicabs and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). BART also connects to SFO as well as Oakland and the East Bay. Tickets are required for the use of BART. Other public transportation requires coins or passes. Passes for multiple-day use can be purchased from MUNI.
What kind of weather can I expect?
San Francisco usually has excellent weather in September and October, although be prepared for cool nights. Bring your leather jackets! The temperature on Folsom Street Fairtm day is usually warm. It can get as high as the mid-eighties; in 1997 it was close to 100! In 1998 there were rain showers, although rain is very unusual in late September and early October. 1999 and 2000 were sunny and hot.
What about nightlife, bars, and restaurants?
We knew you'd ask this question!  San Francisco is internationally famous for its restaurants! Good food, in all price ranges, are available throughout the city. San Francisco has extensive nightlife of all kinds! Gay bars and other clubs are located mainly in three areas: the Castro, South of Market and the Polk Street area. The majority of leather bars and adult-oriented clubs are located South of Market, although there are others in the Castro, and leather is welcome in the Polk Street area too.
I am interested in booth space at the fair(s). How do I get an application?
Applications for booth space at either the Folsom Street Fair tm or Up Your Alley Fair will be available on-line in PDF format in March 2008. Now that the applications are available on-line in PDF format we are no longer mailing out application forms automatically to last years exhibitors.

Exhibitor space at the 2007 Up Your Alley fair sold out and we expect the same for the 2008 fair, so get your application in early.

You may also send an email to exhibitors@folsomstreetevents.org with your name, address and telephone number requesting an exhibitor application.

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