While leather enthusiasts may disagree on the best kind of leather or where it comes from, there is growing acceptance that the best place to show it off is in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
This town, with a reputation as America’s First Destination and one of acceptance of all people, now has two distinct weekends where the art of leather—and how one wears it—takes center stage.
While leather enthusiasts may disagree on the best kind of leather or where it comes from, there is growing acceptance that the best place to show it off is in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
This town, with a reputation as America’s First Destination and one of acceptance of all people, now has two distinct weekends where the art of leather—and how one wears it—takes center stage.
Each February, the town hosts Snowbound Leather Weekend, which heats up the atmosphere each year, giving attendees opportunities to wear more layers of leather. Then, in the fall, Mates Leather Weekend takes place, providing the rugged leather the perfect backdrop for exhibition.
Provincetown is a Shangri-La of acceptance. It is a fountain of goodwill and bravery and people who don’t judge. In fact, the only judging attendees experience is at the contests and pageants like the First Mate contest.
Many attendees will wear nothing but leather during the entirety of the events. For many, these weekends provide a rare opportunity to go out wearing the clothes that make them the most comfortable. And, in the company of others who share their interests, they learn about new products, styles and trends.
Organizer and Provincetown resident Rick Conley writes on his website, “I take great pride in the quality of men and women that attend MLW. There is no attitude here, just folks that are down-to-earth, friendly, and nice to look at.”
This year’s weekend starts at 8 pm on Thursday, Oct. 3, with an icebreaker event called “Prime the Pump,” followed by a boot camp for new attendees. Cocktails on the waterfront at Harbor Lounge precede Friday’s welcome reception. The evening caps off with “Uniforms and Cigars.”
There is a chance to talk to and check out the contestants beforehand at Saturday’s Leather Tea and Meet the Meat event, which follows the “Piercing and Pizza” session. The popular “First Mate Contest caps off the evening ceremonies. Sunday concludes with a cookout, a place to compare tattoos and the closing “Rubber Ball” party.
Snowbound Leather Weekend is scheduled for February 21-23 in 2014. Both events feature a Leather Market that allows attendees to buy, sell and trade items.
Fodor’s, Smithsonian Magazine and Fox News in this year placed Ptown on their lists of the best small towns in America. Editors noted the diversity of activities found in America’s oldest continuous art colony and one of its most mosaic towns. From cruising the fabulous beaches, boutiques, restaurants and bars, to whale watching, biking and sailing, Ptown offers both tranquility and a lively scene for travelers of all types.
The Pilgrims knew Provincetown was a special place when they first landed here in 1620, and new and returning visitors will soon find it even easier to navigate to their favorite getaway The Provincetown Tourism Office will be releasing a new mobile app called “iPtown” in time for the summer season that lists just about everything the town has to offer, along with maps, links to reservation and review sites, and a complete integration with social media.
