Ottawa Leather Fest V
"northern Vicespitality"
August 28-30, 2009

Ottawa Leather Fest marked its fifth anniversary on the weekend of August 28-30, 2009. It continued its established tradition of offering an array of fun, educational and thought-provoking seminars, two hot play parties (where a personal best of 300 clothespins was achieved), and the Central Canada Olympus contest.

Sir Alex (Alex Wisniowski, producer of Ottawa Leather Fest) and Encore emceed the cabaret and contest. All events were held at Breathless, a pansexual play space.

Seminar topics included "The Dynamics of a BDSM Relationship", "Flogging: Before We Begin", "Identifying Oneself in the BDSM Lifestyle", "Round 'Em Up" (a two-hour pony play workshop), and "Watersports 101".

OLF V boasted several distinguished presenters. Foxy and Sherifox won Best of Show at the International Pony Play Championships in 2007 and 2008. Mistress Cyan is the founder and organizer of DomCon LA and DomCon Atlanta. Her partner Goddess Genesis is a Pro Domme.

The head judge for the Central Canada Olympus contest was Dave Rhodes, editor of The Leather Journal. The other judges were Mistress Cyan, permanent transgendered judge Zelda Marshall, and the outgoing titleholders, Mistress Victoria and Squeeky.

Mike Tattersall won the title of Mr. Central Canada Olympus Leather 2009. Tango became the new Ms. Central Canada Olympus Leather 2009. The runner-up was Bad Schoolgirl.

Several awards were presented, including the new LADY (Leather Ambassador in Drag of the Year) award to Zelda Marshall. The Great North American Wolf Society (GNAWS) also inducted a number of new members.

A special treat on Friday night was the very entertaining International Kinky Kabaret, featuring a dozen skits and musical numbers. During the contest on Saturday night, Zelda Marshall's performance of Sharon McKnight's "Why Me, God? (Everybody's F***ing but Me)" brought the house down.

On Sunday, August 30, Ottawa's pansexual BDSM community joined the Ottawa Knights and a contingent of leatherfolk from Toronto in Ottawa's annual Pride Parade, which boasted 75 entries and 1,200 participants. Foxy and Sherifox (international pony and trainer) were great crowd pleasers.

Watch for Ottawa Leather Fest VI in August 2010!

Email Alex:
leatherheart 'at' sympatico.ca