The normal Folsom Street Fair ya-ya’s you would get out in a typical year will be highly limited this year, as social distancing and a de-emphasis on physical contact have rendered the event into a rebranded affair called Megahood2021. Folsom Street Events claims this is a “Back to our roots!,” decision, though it’s clearly all just because of COVID-19 restrictions, and the name Megahood references the first Folsom Street Fair in 1984’s original name. (You think that’s bad? Subsequent fairs were called “Dancin’ in the Street” and “Hot 6 in the City” until the name Folsom Street Fair was permanently adopted in 1991.)

The fair will be outdoors and still held at its regular 11 a.m.-6 p.m. hours, but masks and proof of vaccination will be required. Alcohol will not be sold at the event, as attendees are encouraged to patronize the local bars that have had a rough go of the last year and a half.

This strategy led to long lines for drinks at The Powerhouse during a similarly curtailed Up Your Alley fair in July — which turned out to be just as big and raunchy as a typical Dore Alley event, just not on Dore Alley itself.

Similarly, this is a much smaller Folsom Str— err, Megahood2021 than you’re used to. Instead of two main stages, they’re broken down into smaller stages, some with music, others with onstage sexy results:

• Drag Stage - Presented by The Stud and Oaklash
• DJ and Go-Go Stage - Presented by Fawkstales
• Playground Stage - Women, trans, and nonbinary stage, hosted by Alotta Boutté
• BONDAGE Stage by Twisted Windows and KinkPOC Bay Area
• BDSM Demo Stage co-hosted by ONYX NW, Society of Janus, and Alpha Academy

There have been no acts announced for any of these stages, either on Folsom Street Events' website social media, or on the site of the official partner GayCities.

The vendor booth will be back, though with fewer sexual themed booths. You’ll still see old faves like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Bare Chest Calendar, but more community-focused groups too, like PFLAG, Planned Parenthood, and even a CBD shop called Transcend-Canna. 

It’s already Leather Week, so the parties will continue right up to and through Sunday. For a complete list of Leather Week events, check Fa-Word.com.