Folsom Street East 2013: Canceled
The organizers of Folsom Street East announced this afternoon that this year's event has been canceled.
It is with sadness that the Producers and Board of Directors of Folsom Street East have to announce that the 17th annual Folsom Street East Street Festival this June is going to be cancelled. Though we continue to receive support for this community-building and fundraising event from Community Board 4 and our neighbors on the block (including our producing partner The Eagle NYC), the ever-growing construction on the north side of 28th street has made it impossible for us to successfully and safely hold our annual street festival. Thank you for the years of support from our attendees, sponsors, partners, exhibitors, vendors, performers and volunteers; we are sad that we will not be able to celebrate Pride with you at our fetish-friendly event this year.Shortly before last year's event I reported that the above-mentioned massive condo complex had been pressuring the local community board to close the fair. But Community Board Four chairman (and 2013 City Council candidate) Corey Johnson tells me today that he "had no idea" that the fair was going to be canceled.
This cancellation was probably inevitable and many locals are likely surprised it lasted on West 28th for as long it did. Perhaps the organizers will find another location for next year, but don't hold your breath that another Manhattan neighborhood would welcome such carefree carnality. Below are a couple of shots I took in recent years. The lower one I took from the stage in 2007 while I was judging one the fair's more hilarious contests.
Labels: Chelsea, Folsom Street East, leather, NYC