Castro Street Fair organizers are excited about this year's milestone edition of the popular block party. Organizers said that the fair, founded 50 years ago by the late gay trailblazer Harvey Milk, is a quintessential San Francisco event that showcases the LGBTQ neighborhood.
Fred Lopez, a gay man who is vice president of the fair's board of directors, said during a phone interview Friday, September 27, that speaking on behalf of the rest of the board, "It's an incredible honor to steward the idea Harvey Milk started in 1974, to celebrate the neighborhood and bring attention to local merchants and the neighbors.
"A lot has changed in 50 years, but the Castro is still an amazing, unique, and diverse neighborhood, and one we love very much," he continued.
The fair will be Sunday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Its golden anniversary comes at the same time as the 50th anniversary of then-future supervisor Milk's column — Milk Forum — in the Bay Area Reporter. Milk, who was the first openly gay person elected in California when he won a seat on the Board of Supervisors in November 1977, filed a total of 102 columns in the B.A.R. from October 2, 1974 until his assassination on November 27, 1978. Over the years Milk has become a global icon to the LGBTQ community and a figure now studied in California public schools.
He used his print column as a platform for his own supervisor races in 1975 and 1977, and a failed attempt for state Assembly in 1976. (Milk's first bid for supervisor came in 1973.) Among the issues Milk highlighted in his columns was a boycott against beer maker Coors in solidarity with unions trying to organize delivery drivers. More recently, Molson Coors withdrew from the Human Rights Campaign's corporate equality index (See the online LGBTQ Agenda column.)
Milk started the Castro Street Fair to promote LGBTQ businesses in the area. The first fair was held August 18, 1974 and, by the mid-1980s, it'd moved to early October.
An early B.A.R. report on that 1974 event, penned by Milk, stated, "It was San Francisco's first street fair to be enjoyed by the people and not one geared for the tourist trade and dollars ... while there were the usual street artisans selling their wares, a carnival spirit flowed thru the crowd that was so full of warmth that even one bad incident which took place could not dampen it."
That "bad incident" was "an attempted robbery which ended up in a shoot-out early in the day," Milk wrote. The report made sure to point out it dampened the mood only for "a while."
"Senator Milton Marks may have summed it up when he said: 'I like what you people have done here on Castro Street.' It was a great party," Milk wrote. (Marks, a longtime straight ally and then a Republican, represented San Francisco in the state Senate from 1967 to 1996, when term limits forced him to retire. He became a Democrat in 1986 and died in 1998.)
People entering this year's event will be asked to donate $10-$20, though not necessarily in cash, as the board has acquired a mobile device that can charge a credit or debit card or accept payment via cellphone.
"Because it is a milestone year, we want to encourage people to donate as much as they can," Lopez said. "The board works really hard throughout the year, and everyone on site works really hard to bring a safe and enjoyable experience to folks."
People can also help out by buying merchandise — shirts and other items are being sold at Local Take, 4122 18th Street; Lopez said proceeds "will go directly to produce next year's fair and cover this year's costs, help us remain sustainable."
Lopez said that Serge Gay Jr., a prolific gay artist who has several murals about the Castro, designed the shirts.
"His work is fantastic," Lopez said. "We're really, really pleased."
Gay's design features a moviehouse marquee with a group of queer people hanging out on a fire escape. He stated to the B.A.R., "I am very honored to be part of the 50th anniversary this year. To create something that represents our past and our shining present. To capture our strength, togetherness, and our growing diverse community that reflects all of us in the Castro District."
Fair footprint
The fair will be closing Market Street from Noe to Castro streets, Castro Street from Market to 19th streets, 18th Street from Diamond to Noe streets, and 17th Street from Castro to Noe streets. The footprint was expanded last year, as the B.A.R. reported.
"The footprint is what many would say is a classic set up — Market and Castro and along 18th Street," Lopez said. "We're really glad to be doing that. I think a big change this year is the addition of the Queer AF stage on Castro between 18th and 19th, which [as] you might remember, was Harvey Milk's original Castro camera shop. They are presenting a really great lineup of 1970s-inspired entertainment throughout the day."
Queer Arts Featured, a gallery space located inside Milk's old shop at 575 Castro Street, didn't return a request for comment by press time.
Lopez said there aren't outdoor alcohol sales.
"During the fair, attendees can purchase and enjoy beverages at their favorite local bars, similar to other weekends in the Castro," he stated, and "attendees can visit local bars during the Castro Street Fair, and the usual rules around adult beverages remain. The fair is encouraging attendees to patronize the merchants and bars and restaurants of the Castro."
A spokesperson for the office of Mayor London Breed stated to the B.A.R. October 1 that, "My understanding is bars selling alcohol to be consumed outdoors is not permitted in SF unless there is an approved and permitted Entertainment Zone that they are within. Oktoberfest on Front Street is a good example."
Oktoberfest, which took place September 20, was the first entertainment zone event in the Golden State's history. Alcohol for outdoor consumption within the zone was allowed under Senate Bill 76, legislation introduced by gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), a Castro resident.
The recent Folsom Street Fair had a hybrid permit that allowed attendees to roam the fairgrounds with alcoholic beverages.
When reached by email, a spokesperson for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stated to the B.A.R. October 1, "ABC has not received any applications or permit requests for this event on the 6th."
The San Francisco Police Department didn't return a request for comment.
All in for the fair
Fair organizers are excited about this year's edition.
"The Castro Street Fair has not only been a beacon of hope and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community but also a substantial contributor to the local economy," stated Jenn Meyer, a straight ally who owns Local Take and is president of the fair's board.
"Last year, the fair generated an estimated $8 million in total visitor impact, benefiting retail, dining, and hotels significantly," she stated. "This year, we aim to surpass previous records, both in terms of attendance and community support."
The fair will be contributing proceeds to Buen Dia Family School, the Imperial Council of San Francisco, Most Holy Redeemer, Maitri, and the UCSF Alliance Health Project. It has raised a total of $1.6 million for community organizations over the years, according to a news release.
Terry Asten Bennett, a straight ally who is the president of the Castro Merchants Association and the co-owner of Cliff's Variety at 479 Castro Street, is also happy for the neighborhood's big weekend. The last year has seen a number of openings and reopenings of Castro-area businesses. (See related story, page 1.)
"We are very excited to see the Castro Street Fair celebrate its 50th anniversary," Asten Bennett stated. "It is always amazing when we get to see our community come together for celebrations and fun. October will be a very busy month in the Castro, and I can't think of a better way to kick it all off."
Among those events will be the inaugural Castro Night Market on October 18, as the B.A.R. previously reported.
Also delighted is Andrea Aiello, a lesbian who leads the Castro Community Benefit District.
"Congratulations to the Castro Street fair and happy 50th," she stated. "Started in 1974 by Harvey Milk to promote the Castro's gay businesses, today, the Castro Street Fair is just about the most fun street fair around and certainly the gayest. Come out on Sunday and celebrate 50 years with your friends and community."
TJ Bruce, the manager and part-owner of San Francisco Badlands in the Castro, stated to the B.A.R. September 24 that the nightlife world is ready, too. Badlands reopened in October 2023 after a three-year closure, albeit after last year's fair. He was also looking forward to the leather and kink Folsom Street Fair that took place September 29.
"Badlands is very excited for both Folsom weekend and Castro Street Fair as it's our first in many years," Bruce said. "Looking forward to a safe and very festive couple weekends."
Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman stated that this year's Castro event comes at a prodigious time for the neighborhood. He stated to the B.A.R. just hours after an event commemorating a future LGBTQ history museum on Market Street that, "It's a season of great things happening in the Castro and an especially auspicious time to celebrate the Castro Street Fair's 50th!"
"The Castro Street Fair is one of my very favorite events each year," he added. "For a half century the fair has been an opportunity for the Castro and queer communities to get out, see and be seen, and support our local businesses."
Mainstays
Several community mainstays will be making a return this year, including the San Francisco Pride Band, the city's official band, which will be performing at 18th and Collingwood streets at 11:30 a.m. The band, formerly the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, will be going throughout the footprint to perform periodically throughout the day.
Mike Wong, artistic director for marching and pep bands, stated to the B.A.R., "We love performing in the Castro Street Fair as an engaging neighborhood event for our community.
"We have a lot of fun (and our audience does too!) when we march down the middle of the street and perform from within the crowd as we move around the fair," Wong continued. "We're planning to open the performance on stage for a 45-minute set, followed by roaming performances during the fair."
Pep squad CheerSF will also be periodically performing, at Castro and 18th streets.
"CheerSF is thrilled to celebrate our community at Castro Street Fair," stated Alice Liu Jensen, CheerSF's events manager. "We'll be performing our signature high flying stunts and shaking our pompoms at the corner of 18th and Castro at 1 p.m., 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30. This year we are thrilled to raise funds for the Huckleberry Youth Programs, which offers 24-hour crisis services, health care and emergency shelter, career training and college access programs for high-need youth and young adults from ages 11 to 24."
Ingu Yun, president of the Sundance Association that puts on the Sundance Saloon, told the B.A.R. in a phone interview that there will be country-western dancing behind the Castro Theatre. Lessons will be every half-hour between 1 and 5 p.m.
"We're doing country-western dancing in the parking lot behind the Castro Theatre and if people don't know country-western dancing, it's a mix of dance styles," Yun said. "It includes partner dancing, two-step, waltz and swing, as well as line dancing. We're going to include a lot of quick lessons for novice dancers throughout the afternoon, so even if you have never danced like this before, you can join in on the fun, and you can also come watch people dance."
The Sundance Saloon gathers every Sunday and Thursday at 550 Barneveld Avenue.
Juanita MORE! will be producing the House of MORE! stage at 18th and Collingwood streets starting at 2:45 p.m.
"The first Castro Street Fair I attended as Juanita was in 1994," MORE! stated. "I had participated in previous ones but only as a shy young kid who spent most of the time watching from the sidewalk — the first time as Juanita opened up a whole new world to me."
MORE! remembered that she "wore a 12-pack of beer on my head (the beer I had previously drunk) and a gold faux leather pantsuit that Mr. David designed for me. I met so many people and made many new friends that day, many of whom I would continue to see year after year."
MORE! continued that, "We are bringing the family to entertain! Mary Vice, Rahni NothingMore, Vera Hannush, Bettyie Jayne, Dulce De Leche, Stanley Frank, Rolo Talorda, Sgt. Die Wies, Ricky, & Laicey Croptop will all be onstage! I'm thrilled we will all be together to celebrate Harvey Milk's little block party 50 years later."
Lopez said that in years past, the fair has gotten some financial assistance from the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development as well as from a fund for local arts and cultural organizations. OEWD stated to the B.A.R. that it's providing $50,000 for this year's Castro Street Fair.
"Last year, we got $18,000 from Grants for the Arts," he said. "We asked for more but we don't know what they're giving us."
Sophie Hayward, legislative and public affairs director for Grants for the Arts, stated to the B.A.R. September 27 that, "The GFTA awards for the coming year have not yet been announced. Last year, the Castro Street Fair received $18,090 from GFTA (the FY 24 cycle)." The mayor's office stated October 1 that this $18,090 in Grants for the Arts funds is going to the 2024 street fair; the 2025 iteration of the fair will receive $30,000.
Correction: Oct. 2, 2024: The final sentence of this report as originally published incorrectly stated that the mayor's office and the office of economic and workforce development didn't respond to requests for comment, though those comments were in the report. We regret the error.
For more information on the Castro Street Fair, go to castrostreetfair.org.
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!