Live Shots: The agony and the ecstasy of Folsom Street Fair 2023

I don’t mean to whip up a fuss here, but this year’s Folsom seemed kind of tame? Oh, there was plenty of naughtiness happening, but it seemed more about the friendly camaraderie and simple human presence than fabulous fetishes and exhibitionism. Maybe last year’s wild fair was the time to break free of pandemic restraints, and this year we’re just relaxing back into things (while keeping an eye on those rising COVID case numbers, too).

In any event, Folsom Street Fair 2023 once again felt like San Francisco at its most San Francisco-ness— something that must deliciously bewilder the doom-loopers who are also fusty moral scolds. You want downtown coming back? Fill it with half-naked revelers celebrating their singular sexuality and creativity, OK!

Because we know you can never get enough (I certainly can’t), we present not one but two slideshows of colorful Folsom characters captured by photographer Jon Bauer. —Marke B