Congratulations to Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025!

Congratulations to one of VLA's own, Derek McCandless for winning the Mr. Fire Island Competition this past weekend!

Derek McCandless wins Mr. Fire Island 2025

Excelsior MC hosted the 23rd Annual Mr. Fire Island Leather Competition from 16-18 May 2025 at the Arts Project of Cherry Grove Community House in Fire Island, NY. The event took place during Excelsior MC's 50th Anniversary. Over 125 people attend the event with the official competition happening on 17 May 2025.

Derek assumes the mantel from Chris Joseph of Excelsior MC who also fashioned the sash pictured to the left (Ordivo Design).

When asked what does a Leatherman mean to him, Derek had this to say:

'Actually I've been thinking about that for a few years when I joined the community when I was back in the Navy. A Leatherman is someone who actually tries to support those of the leather community; Tries to enrich them and better the younger generation so they know of our heritage and our traditions."

Derek McCandless is a former Navy Electronics Technician (Submarines). He holds Bachelors Degree In IT Cybersecurity from Central Penn College and lives In York, Pennsylvania with his husband Nicolas.

His current plans for the year are to attend Bears, Bikers, and Mayhem (BBM) at the end of May. He will march in the World Pride in DC, attend Fire Island pride on June 27th, and attend the NYC Pride event and parade June 28th. Join him at the Invasion that takes place on Fire Island on July 4th or at Potomac MC's pool party July 5th. If you are in the Central PA area join him for Pride held in Harrisburg, PA on July 26th, or at the Keystone Leather Contest July 31st - Aug 3rd to watch his boy, Boy Evan, step-down as the Inaugural Mr. Keystone Leather.

Other events and dates will be posted in later months. Follow his leather journey at https://www.facebook.com/mr.fire.island.leather.2025.derek