Frequently Asked Questions

A: FanFair is a week-long transgender event held every October in the GLBT resort Mecca of Provincetown on the very tip of beautiful Cape Cod. Running each year since 1975, the Fair is a “full immersion” experience, meaning that attendees can and usually do spend an entire week living 24/7 presenting their gender as the wish. Fantasia Fair attracts people from the entire spectrum of the transgender community, including crossdressers, MTF transsexuals, FTM transsexuals, intersexed persons, people who are exploring thier gender identity, and professionals working in the community. During the week, individuals can attend workshops, seminars, banquets, special events and shows as well as enjoy Provincetown itself.

A: There are some wonderful events held throughout the world, but few last a week, and only Fantasia Fair gives its attendees a whole week in Provincetown in which to be themselves. The Fair doesn't take place in a big hotel, but rather in many small venues across the quaint little town. You might attend a morning workshop in a hotel, lunch at restaurant, afternoon workshops at an inn, then attend a banquet and top off the evening dancing at a local club. You really can't see the entire Fair in just one day. In fact, you can see see and experience something new each and everyday. Provincetown is a walking town, meaning much time is spent out on the streets, going from location to location, shopping, dining, and socializing. There's nothing else like it; just ask any past attendee.

A: Over 30 years ago, when planners were putting together the first Fair, there were few places that could be considered safe. Even then, Provincetown was a friendly place, tolerant of difference, a safe haven, and one in which it was possible to be out and about with little chance of being recognized. Today, P'town is even friendlier. In fact, the townsfolk love us! While it's now possible to have a gender event in almost any city, only Provincetown gives its attendees a sprawling, friendly place with hundreds of inns, restaurants, pubs, shops and galleries, and the ocean, the dunes, and the beach. P'town is still a great place to come. Tens of thousands of tourists fill the town in the summer— which brings up the second half of the question - "Why October?"

Why indeed! October brings lower prices. The town is less crowded, and it's easier to get reservations. October is also a cool time on Cape Cod, good for the well-being of the attendees. Fair attendees have always been predominantly MTF, and makeup stays on better in the cool Fall than in the warm summer. ‘Nuff said!

A: There's tons for couples. We have workshops dedicated to T-folk and their SOs, as well as a number of groups specifically for partners of T-folk. These groups provide opportunities for couples to discuss issues, problems, stresses, and even joys that they have in common. The partner's private sessions allow those married to CDs or TSs to share, compare and support. We find some of the best available experts to assist in facilitating the sessions.

Of course, the entire Fair offers a multitude of opportunities for partners. There are the lunches, dinners, and shows. SOs are welcome to be in the Follies, and can participate in many other ways as well. And don't forget all the sightseeing and shopping P'Town offers. Look at our Partners page for more information.

A: We have some FTM participation, although certainly not as much as we would like. P'town offers FTMs a lot, and the Fair provides FTM programming. We’ve built it; we hope they will come.

A: The shopping is fabulous. So are the restaurants. There are dozens of galleries with paintings, sculpture, glass art, and any number of museums. You can go whale watching or take a dunes tour. You can take the trolley tour of Provincetown or ride a bicycle along the paved paths of the national seashore. You can dance until late at night at the A-House, then go to Spiritus for a pizza. You can browse for antiques, look through the large collection of out-of-print volumes at Tim’s Books, take advantage of end-of-season closeouts in the clothing boutiques, or get an early morning breakfast at the Portuguese Bakery, a bowl of kale soup at the Governor Bradford, or have a two-pounder at the Lobster Pot. You can sit on the benches in front of the Town Hall and watch the colorful parade of passers-by, or drop by Adam’s Pharmacy to buy an umbrella and chat with the townies. You can get away from it all and walk over the breakwater to Long’s point. You can take in a drag show, or listen to a lesbian comic. There’s no end of things to do in P'town. And one of the best things about doing thing in Provincetown is that you can do it all dressed in the gender of your choice!

A: If you’re driving, just get on the Cape and drive as far as you can. When you reach Provincetown (last stop before England), find a place to park and look for the Fair office. Early plans are to locate it at the Crown & Anchor. If you’re flying, you can rent a car at Boston or take Cape Air directly to Provincetown. Remember the TV show “Wings?” It was modeled on Cape Air, which flies to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Hyannis, and Provincetown. If you like small planes, you’ll love the short twenty-minute hop from Boston’s Logan Airport to the P'town airport.

If you would prefer, you can rent a car at Logan or in Providence, RI and drive to Provincetown,—but you’ll probably use your car very little during the Fair.

You can also catch a bus from Boston. A ferry runs from Boston to Provincetown, but alas, the season inevitably ends by the time the Fair begins.

A: Above all, bring comfortable shoes, for you’ll be doing a lot of walking. High heels aren’t practical when you have to get from one end of town to the other in 15 minutes. Pack for cool weather. You’ll need sweaters and a coat and scarf. Bring an umbrella, for Nor’westers are common in the Fall.

You’ll need a couple of fancy outfits for the evening events, and more casual clothes for daytime. You’ll want to bring some slacks to keep your legs warm in windy weather. Bring plenty of film or memory for your digital camera. If you drink, you might want to bring a bottle or two of liquor, for the same reason.

You can get a load of useful advice about what to bring and what to expect in the Resources portion of this website.

A: That’s a normal reaction. The shy Alice of Day 1 is often the social butterfly of Day 7. The Fair has a tendency to bring people out. Provincetown is a safe environment. Once you realize there’s no need to fear, you’ll find yourself blossoming. The Fair Director remembers riding Cape Air to P'town several years ago with a shy British cross dresser. Four days later said Director was walking on Commercial Street late at night and had to move aside to let a crowd of rowdy lesbians pass, linked arm in arm. Guess who one of the rowdy lesbians was? Right. The shy cross dresser.

A: Few SOs would be bored in Provincetown. Aside from the Fair, there are tons of things to do—but the Fair provides special social activities for spouses and partners. There are intensive workshops for couples who want to work on their relationships.

A: We certainly have our share of rich cross dressers. But we also have poor cross dressers, middle-of-the road cross dressers, and transgenderists, pre-op transsexuals, post-op transsexuals, and drag queens, both rich and otherwise—and let’s not forget the many significant others who come to the Fair with their spouses. While historically, the typical Fair attendee was indeed a rich cross dresser, nowadays the Fair is a diverse event, both in terms of socioeconomic levels and in gender expression. There are about as many transgenderists and transsexuals as cross dressers. And nowadays we even offer scholarships to for those with financial difficulties.

A: And now for the big answer: The Fair is no longer an expensive event. Remember, it is a week long. You can attend either the second half or first half of the event for a very modest amount, no more than any other 3-day gender convention – and the Fair will definitely feed you better and more often. The registration price for the full Fair is for seven days of activitites which include a welcoming buffet, six lunches, Monday night dinner & a show, two formal banquets, a fashion show, the "Fabulous Follies" cabaret show, seminars and classes, farewell brunch, and all Provincetown at your feet. In fact, the registration price is a remarkably low price, and almost one half of what it was ten years ago!