It’s taken a while, but the hangovers have finally subsided, the swimming pool has been de-lubed, and the dust has settled on another year of Fetish Con in Florida. Re-formed and relocated to Tampa in 2004 by organizers Vesta and Genesis Lynn, the convention has managed to grow over the years despite past troubles with Mother Nature. Although the current economic state undoubtedly contributed to a lower attendance this year, the enthusiasm of those who were able to attend remained strong.

The tradeshow floor was once again lined with booth after booth of shiny clothes, kinky toys, inflatable insertables, bondage maidens, fetish models, sexy sadists, submissive sluts, and public exhibitionists of all varieties. It was hard to walk more than a few feet without encountering random people shamelessly engaging in public displays of discipline. There was even a stable for human pony play, a Giantess zone, and a tattoo and piercing booth. Even though many of the same vendors and Guests of Honor can be found at Fetish Con year after year, 2009 featured some new additions to the roster. Up-and-coming bondage models Jade Indica, Paris Kennedy, and Emily Addison joined fetish favorites Jewell Marceau, Anastasia Pierce, Rubberdoll, Jean Bardot, and Kendra James for this year’s lineup. Those looking to give themselves a financial spanking had a plethora of punishments to choose from. Exquisite corsets, handcrafted canes and whips, leather restraints, medical toys, a virtual rainbow of rope, and anything else you might need to stock your toy chest lined the aisles. Audience participation was often encouraged, and many people volunteered for bondage demos, public discipline, and foot worship. California dream girl Ashley Fires stole the showroom floor and kept the crowd around the Clips4Sale booth entertained with bondage exhibitions and the occasional forced orgasm.

Unfortunately I did see a few unsafe bondage demos throughout the weekend, and I feel the need to point out the importance of negotiating a scene in advance. Novices should not be put into advanced and physically stressful bondage positions, and riggers should know better than to make them try. It shouldn’t take torn latex or worse, a fall on the head, to make this point clear. If you are new to bondage or discipline, do not hesitate to voice any concerns or limitations to your top. Safety is paramount in BDSM play and often egos, ignorance, and insecurities can get in the way of communication and sensibility. On a more positive note, one of the highlights of the event for me was Ron the Human Carpet. Born with Spina Bifida, Ron has no legs but without a doubt had more fun than anyone else at Fetish Con. His enthusiasm for trampling and overall positive attitude was downright infectious.

Nightfall offered even more options for those wanting to let loose and fly their fetish freak flag high at a pervy party. The weekend started off Friday night at the Castle for the Vamps & Vixens Ball. Angela Ryan and Natalie Minx teased and pleased the crowd with their sexy stripteases before Anastasia Pierce finished them off with her giant gyrating lovegun. Saturday night offered up Circus Eroticus at Czar, with the twisted pleasures of Rubberdoll, Maya Sinstress, and Jean Bardot. MaggieDelena Latex served up a sinfully delicious but oh-so-bad-for-you fashion show, complete with domination and ice cream delights. I played ringmaster for Philadelphia based designer Baby Loves Latex, who had a surprise in store for her curious circus cuties in the form of a rather mischievous Jack-In-The-Box. Play stations had been set up at both parties for those looking to indulge in some public discipline, and throughout the nights people took advantage of the both the dungeon furniture and the rampant voyeurism. The Sunday night wrap-up party was held at the hotel and featured sideshow performer and masochist extraordinaire the Reverend B. Dangerous.

People who weren’t quite into the nightclub scene or were looking for more serious play could stay in the hotel and get their kink on in the semi-privacy of the convention’s dungeon. Regardless of where their evening began, it wound down by the hotel pool, which was open 24 hours. Latex clad lovelies lounged while lucky subbies tended to their tired tootsies, Mistresses toyed with their playthings, and perverts from all walks of life came together in the always-crowded hot tub. Perhaps “came together” is a poor choice of wording, considering the motley crew of kinksters congregating in the warm waters…

Thanks again to Vesta and Genesis and everyone who helped put together another year of Fetish Con. I look forward to seeing what new additions next year has to offer.

On July 18 Marquis America took over renowned San Francisco dine-in-theater the Supper Club to host the very first Marquis Fetish Ball. The intimate venue entertained a sold out crowd as kinksters from throughout California and across the US arrived dressed to thrill in their finest latex and highest heels. Masters and Mistresses whipped their slaves into submission in the dungeon playroom before relaxing on one of the many large and inviting white beds that comprise Supper Club’s unconventional furnishings.

The evening’s entertainment was an illustrious affair as well. Fetish Diva Midori recruited random observers for her show, an audience participation bungee bondage performance piece complete with clowns and Krispy Kremes. Texas temptress Athena Fatale enslaved the insatiable Satine Phoenix in a breathtaking S&M scene, while fetish femmes January Seraph and Ashley Fires encased a male slave in a latex vac-cube. Aerial contortions were provided by Evacide, and NYC’s the Baroness played Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.

The grand gala ended with fashion shows by three innovative and unique designers, each of them continuing to make their own marks in the fetish fashion world. First up was Tactical Corsets with their highly functional, highly fashionable military corsets. Next came the deconstructed, post-apocalyptic leather and corsetry of Antiseptic Fashions, followed by the flirty and feminine designs of Black Lickorish and her army of latex lovelies. Guests were then treated to a sneak peak of the new Von Gutenberg Couture line of latex. DJ Netik kept the beat going strong on the dance floor and the party raved on well after last call.

Many thanks to Erik Von Gutenberg and Marquis America for hosting such a splendid event, we are looking forward to the next ball!