Creature Cavalcade at Folsom Street Fair 2026
On Parade as Folsom opens in 2026
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Folsom St and 11th Street, San Francisco, California
The Cavalcade begins as the 2026 Folsom Street Fair opens, and walks, rides, trots & struts in a circuit through the fair.
Sometimes known as the ‘Pony Parade’ or the ‘Pet Parade’’ this is a great way to be part of Folsom Street Fair as it opens! The Cavalcade is not specific to any one group; everyone interested in this style of play is welcome to join.
*Cavalcade: cav·al·cade noun \ˌka-vəl-ˈkād, ˈka-vəl-ˌ*
a procession of riders or carriages, a dramatic sequence or procession
Join the Cavalcade
Meeting Location – Eleventh St and Folsom. Look for Kathyrina’s pony cart nearby. That will be our rollout point!
Main Schedule
9:30-10:30am – Tack up, meet & greet, gear checks for early arrivals
10:30-11am – Pre-Folsom Circuit for early arrivals or continued gear checks for later arrivals
11:00am – Folsom Street Fair is officially open, Cavalcade group photo!
11:15am – Official Cavalcade Rollout.
The Cavalcade ends when crowds become too thick for carts, at which point we return to the meeting point. Some years we have needed to finish as early as 12:15, some years we’ve been able to go until 2! It all depends on the crowd.
Pre-Folsom Circuit: At 10:30am, we’ll do a short circuit just before the Fair officially opens. This is a chance to relax some nerves, troubleshoot costuming, and practice with your equipment before the main Cavalcade gets underway.
We strongly encourage everyone to practice with their gear before Folsom, especially if it’s been in storage for a while.
Remember to arrive earlier than you think you’ll need to. Complex costumes, tack, carts, and other equipment can easily take an hour or more to get ready.
Other Cavalcade Details
How to participate: Join us before 11am, or join in as we move through the Fair. All types of human animals and their people are invited.
Who can participate: Petplayers, primal players, latex creatures, fursuiters, human animal role players and all intersections of these are welcome.
Carts, sleds, wagons & various other wheels are also welcome!
No cart? No problem. Walk along with us! In fact, we’d love to put those on foot/hoof/paw at the front of the line if you’d like to lead the way. You may also find someone who needs a rider or someone to pull on the day of the event.
You can join us before rollout or join in as we make our way through the Fair.
Heralds & Helpers
Heralds: Help announce to the Fair the Cavalcade is coming. In years past, these talented people have used drums, bells, tambourines or just their own voices to announce the Cavalcade & help make way through the Folsom crowd.
Drums & bells can be provided, or let us know what instrument you’d like to bring.
Safety: Help keep the line moving safely, help participants avoid trip hazards, and assist with moving around a group that has stopped.
PM Kathyrina on Fetlife for more information.
General Info
Cost: No cost to participate. There is a suggested donation to get into the Fair. Link for Fair information is here. https://www.folsomstreet.org/
Getting in before 11 for line up/tack-up: Yes, Folsom Street Fair does not open until 11; however, Folsom street is a public street, and you are permitted to walk in before that time. If you feel an explanation is necessary, just let them know you are coming to help with the Cavalcade group. You can just walk in and meet us inside. If you have more questions, please message TheCavalcade account.
Pictures & stops: If you must stop or pause during the Cavalcade, please step aside so other Cavalcade participants can pass you.
This applies to pictures as well. During the parade, people will ask you to stop to let them take pictures. Please encourage them to take pictures as we go, and do not stop. Or pull over and let others pass while you stop. Keeping the procession moving becomes increasingly important as the Fair gets crowded.
General Folsom Street Fair info: Check their official website here: https://www.folsomstreet.org/
Cavalcade tips
- Practice with your gear in advance.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast & be prepared to dress (or undress) for it.
- Bring water and snacks.
- Arrive earlier than you think you need to.
- Step out of line if you must stop. Whether it’s for pictures, to fix a technical difficulty, or to visit with a friend, just take a few steps off to the side.
- Have an exit strategy for your cart & gear.
Carts: Yes, bring your cart, your sled, your chariot, your little red wagon! We’ve had all sorts of things pulled by some of the finest human creatures around, and there’s always room for more.
We’ll space carts throughout the Cavalcade so everything can flow reasonably well.
IMPORTANT: There is NO designated storage area for carts or equipment after the Cavalcade.
Please have an exit strategy for your cart and gear. You may prefer to return your cart and gear to your car, hotel room, or another secure location before continuing to enjoy the Fair. Please do not ask Fair booths to store equipment for you.
