CINCINNATI – Leatherfolk, Pups, and Kinksters from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana were joined by brothers and sisters from across the country, as Tri-State Leather/Pup/Rubber sashed their 2014 titleholders this weekend in Cincinnati.
Producer Ron Clemons welcomed the crowd to the meet and greet at On Broadway Bar, and turned the weekend over to co-emcees Brooklyn Steele-Tate and “Big D” Lyons following the introduction of special guests: International Leather Sir- Mark Eddy, International Leatherboy (and contest den daddy) boy Paul Brown, IML 2014 1st Runner Up Steve DuPont, Mr. Bluegrass Leather-KyBigDaddy Mark Hurte, Ohio LeatherSir Jim Overholser, Ohio Bootblack Zach Bellman, and Matt Hengle- Board Member of the Titans of the Midwest and Chair of Kink U. Cincinnati.
The contestants were introduced and the judging for the evening began. Leather Contestant Brian
Donner of Cincinnati, and Pup Contestants Pup Spaz of Indianapolis, and Pup Incus of Louisville were judged on their bar wear as well as their quick thinking and sensor humor with an on stage question posed by judges randomly chosen by the emcees. (If you want the full story, ask Brian about a Kentucky Senator, Incus about a Sharpee, and Spaz about his alter ego). Following the stage portion, the contestants were judged on their crowd interaction as they circulated in the crowd with fundraising items.
Saturday kicked off with breakfast for the contestants and weekend package holders in the hospitality suite followed by Kink U, presented by the Titans of the Midwest. Head Judge, IML 1994 Jeff Tucker, and his crew of judges (Ms. Tammy, Sir Ben Feathers, Onyx Rod McCoy, Sir Greg Slaven, Master Bear Abbott, and Mr. Tri-State Leather, Dennis Wood questioned the contestants on their knowledge, plans, and history in closed door interviews. Saturday evening a sold out Cabaret at Below Zero Lounge witnessed the finals of the 2014 Tri-State Leather/Pup/Rubber Contest. This evening, the contestants were judged on their Leather Image/Formal Wear, a 3 minute timed speech, and fantasy/physique wear during which they answer a more serious question prepared by judges that were randomly chosen by the contestants.
Between categories, producer Ron Clemons presented awards to outstanding organizations of the Tri-State Community. Congratulations go to: Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire-Forbearer Award, GLSEN of Cincinnati, Derby City Sisters, and Team Friendly Indiana- Community Service Awards. While the scores of the evening were being tallied, Mr. Tri-State Leather 2013, Dennis Wood, presented his step-aside speech, talking community partnerships, traditions, and celebrations of the past year.
A record setting Tri-State weekend closed out with the sashing of Mr. Tri-State Leather 2014 Brian Donner, and Tri-State Pup 2014 Pup Spaz! Brian will represent the Tri-State at IML 37 in May in Chicago, while Pup Spaz will take his place among the pups of IPC in St. Louis next summer.
