I have been writing erotica for years, in fact it’s my 10th year anniversary in publishing later this year, but up until relatively recently I had no experience of the fetish scene to speak of. I’m going to share some of my experience with you so you can find out what they are and what to expect there.
Fetish Fairs are held up and down the country. Odds are that you will be able to find one in a city near you. The best way to think of them is a big market with extra kink. The majority of most fairs will be a variety of stalls selling all kinds of pretty, sexy and sometimes outright kinky things. If you want a new flogger, paddle or cane, a pretty corset or something skin tight and latex, you’ll find them there. If you’re looking for a new vibrator or dildo, restraints or a sexy present for a lover I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for at a fetish fair.
There might be performances throughout the day, I’ve seen some amazing burlesque, pole and aerial acts at the Manchester and Leeds Alternative and Burlesque Fairs that I’ve attended. But you won’t find folks being flogged or otherwise pleasurably punished. The events are not made for people to play. So you don’t have to worry about walking into something serious. There’s no commitment or pressure on you to be involved in anything other than shopping. It’s relaxed and informal. Mind you, you might meet folks you want to play with or be introduced to a new fetish club or munch. There’s lots of fun networking to be done.
What to wear
You might worry about what to wear. Well the answer to that is put on what makes you feel best. Keep it casual, put on your prettiest dress, try out your steampunk gear, wear your leathers, rubber suit or latex top. It’s completely up to you. There will be people wearing all different kinds of outfits but please be sure to wear something everything has got to be covered (damn those distracting nipples!) but you know, if you fancy showing off some serious flesh go for it. I’ve personally found attending fetish fairs to be very body positive. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you wear, everyone is accepted just the way they are.
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You might worry about going to one of these fairs alone but you will be perfectly welcome as a single visitor, in a couple or even in a big gang of friends. Whatever makes you more comfortable. It is in fact a perfect environment to browse with your mates, even those who aren’t as kinky as you, though be aware you might show your own inclinations if you run off to stroke riding crops or drool over an array of wax play candles at the drop of a hat or gimp mask. A Fetish fair is a great place to take open minded friends who won’t get freaked out at the sight of a butt plug or a giant dildo!
You get out what you put in
As with everything, what you get out of a visit to a fetish fair will all depend on what you put in. There’s no expectation on you to do anything but browse some stalls and have some fun. When I went to my first event I didn’t know what to expect. I found friendly, welcoming people who were happy embracing sex and have fun with it. I found experts in their field, who are far more interested in getting precisely the right item for you than selling you their most expensive item. I’ve become part of the community at the Alternative and Burlesque fairs with my husband and our Smut.UK stall. As we’ve been attending them now for over two years.
As a trader I do spend a lot of my time tied to our stall –not literally, though— but I do enjoy going round and browsing what else is on offer. I can very easily be tempted to spend all our profits on pretty things at the fair. The people who trade at these events are very knowledgeable about what they are selling. Many of them make the items for sale themselves. This is a great opportunity to purchase items bespoke made just for you or to ask those burning questions you can’t ask a website. The internet is a great joy for purchasing sex toys but it can be daunting picking out what you want from an array of implements you can’t touch. You can check out implements, touch them, play with them (within reason of course) and ask the trader questions about their use.
All in all if you’re new to the scene then a Fetish fair might be just the way to make your first steps into the world of BDSM. Friendly traders, an array of kinky items and an encouraging, inclusive environment to browse in.
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