Published in the June/July 2025 Edition
By Rodney Burger
Over the many years that I have been involved in the leather community, I have enjoyed countless fun times and have met so many wonderful and interesting people. In addition to that, I often think about the many places I have visited to attend leather events. I’m not talking about the places that everyone goes to like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco. Although I love the big cities, it is the smaller events that I will always remember. That time I went to the Mr. Oklahoma Leather Contest in Tulsa (They had an Eagle bar that was in an old McDonalds that had been painted black) or the Tradesmen’s leather club’s anniversary in Charlotte, North Carolina (It was held during Charlotte Pride). The Southeast Conference of Clubs leather event in Augusta, Georgia was so much fun that I attended several times. I even did stand-up comedy at the contest one year. Have you ever been to Portland, Maine? I attended the Harbor Masters leather club’s event there a few years ago. We got there a day early so that we could tour the city. It is always exciting to go to new places and at most leather events you get discount hotel rates and meals included. It is really an inexpensive way to take a break from the real world and have some fun. With that in mind, here are just a few leather events that you may want to check out this fall.
How about a trip to New Haven, Connecticut? On September 5th – 7th you can attend the Mr. and Ms. Connecticut Leather 2026 Contest at the 168 York Street Café. There is also a pet mosh, BDSM classes, cigar social, Sunday brunch, and more. You can find details at mrcleather.org and on Facebook.
You can really get away at The Woods Campground in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Their title contest leather weekend is scheduled for September 12th -14th when Mr. Woods Leather, Ms. Woods Leather, and Woods Pup will be selected. You don’t have tents and a bunch of camping gear? No problem. Reserve quickly and get one of the little cabins. Go to thewoodscampground.com.
Want to get away a little further? The Hoist Pig Weekend is scheduled for October 3rd – 5th at the Whispering Oaks Retreat and Campground in Hampshire, Tennessee. Once again you can book a cabin, stay in the bunkhouse, or even a motel. There will be catered meals, cocktail parties, a cigar social, dungeon play, demos, and the MidSouth Kink Leather Sir/boy Contest. Go to hoistmemphis.org for details.
Although the big Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend in Washington is not until January 16th – 19th, 2026, you can watch one of the MAL contestants being selected when you attend the 7th annual Mr. NC Triangle Leather contest at the FLEX Night Club in Raleigh, North Carlonia on August 30th. There is cocktail party sponsored by Carolinas Leather Men of Color, a victory jockstrap party and more. Details can be found at mrnctriangleleather.com and on Facebook.
In nearby Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Rehoboth Leather Weekend is scheduled for October 3rd – 5th. You can attend the Mr. Rehoboth Leather Contest at Aqua bar.
We are living in stressful times. I know I feel better when I’ve scheduled a little trip and have something to look forward to on my calendar. Make some plans to get away. These are just a few of the many leather events coming up soon. The leather community can be a trip! Plan one.