What the Fluff?
Come celebrate the 101st anniversary of the invention of Fluff with Fluff the 13th
presented by Allstate
Saturday, September 22, 2018 (rain date 9/23)
3:00-7:00PM
Union Square • Somerville, MA
What the Fluff?
Union Square • Somerville, MA
So, What’s the Fluff?
Join us for the celebration of the 101st anniversary of Fluff, invented right here in Somerville’s Union Square in 1917 by Archibald Query. This madcap, fun-filled festival draws approximately 20,000 people and is cited as one of the reasons why Lonely Planet named Somerville in the top 10 “Best In The US” travel destinations for 2016.
The 13th annual What the Fluff Festival will feature musical performances, a cooking contest, Fluff-themed games, activities, antics and fun for every age, and Fluff treats of every sort.
This year’s theme—Fluff the 13th—plays on imagery lucky 13 so often conjures: black cats, turning luck, ironic horror, illusion, fantasy, and the magical. Join us as we step into an alternate dimension of the imagination!
What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Invention is presented by Union Square Main Streets as part of the Somerville Arts Council/ArtsUnion.
As seen in Yankee Magazine and Delish!
Cooking Contest Registration
A call for Fluff enthusiasts! Registration for the Cooking Contest is now open. Submit your best Fluff recipe and our celebrity judges will put your dish to the test! Deadline is Monday, September 17, 2018.
Award Categories
- Best Future Chef
- Most Retro Recipe
- Most Inventive Recipe
- Grand Prize: Fluff the 13th Winner
Cooking Contest Judges
2018 Judges will be announced soon!
Thank You, Volunteers
It takes a small army to make the Fluff Festival a success! From setup to decor, to sticky-sweet fluff games, bake sales, and more, our volunteers are essential to a smooth festival experience for all. Thank you to our 100+ volunteers for 2017!
If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s Fluff Festival, either in the preparation phase or at the Festival, please fill out the Volunteer form.
See below for details about the 2018 Fluff Festival
Main Stage
| 3:00pm | Ghetto People Band |
|
3:50pm 4:00pm |
Magician Zoe Reiches Flufferettes |
| 4:15pm | DJ J Wall + MC Let's be Frank |
| 4:35pm | Union Comedy Improv |
| 4:55pm | Sur5ILL |
| 5:15pm | Mayor Curtatone crowns Cooking Contest victors |
| 5:45pm | Flufferettes |
| 6:00pm | Peter Prince + Moon Boot Lover |
Dept. of Shenanigans
| 3:00pm | Marshmallow Toss |
| 3:15pm | Blind Man's Fluff |
| 3:30pm | Fluff Jousting |
| 4:00pm | XFluff on the Nose |
| 4:15pm | Fluff Lick Off |
| 4:30pm | Fluff Musical Chairs |
| 4:50pm | Blind Man’s Fluff |
| 5:00pm | Costume Contest |
| 5:40pm | Fluff Jousting |
| 6:10pm | Fluff Musical Chairs |
| 6:30pm | Fluff Lick Off |
| 6:45pm | Fluff Hair Dos |
INVENTION ALLEY
| 3:00pm to | Artisan's Asylum innovators + Somerville High School's Robotics Team return for the 2nd year of Invention Alley! |
| 7:00pm | Activities include Robotics |
|
Vinyl Cutting Activity + Laser Cut Merchandise from Black Cat Labs Interactive Paper Craft Station with Sarah Kramer Fluff Screen Prints + Printing with Sarah Dudek Fluff Hacker Creations making with Hacker Creations |
Other Happenings
- A Nutter Stage at Bow Market
- Midway Kids Area on Sanborn Court
Fluff bowling, Fluff ring toss, Fluff corn hole and Fluff constructions.- Parkour Generations Boston
- Salsa Lessons + Dance Party with celeste
hosted next door at The Neighborhood Restaurant- Family friendly, folk-oriented music on the patio at Bloc Cafe
2018 Vendors
Food
CRAFTS/ACTIVITIES
| Bharat Babies |
| Loyal Supply Co. |
| Marshfellows |
| Pickle Tree Crafts |
| Solar Flair |
| Somerville Museum |
| SVB - Sand Art, Toys, Trinkets |
Fluff Sales
| 2018 Merch available at the Bus Shelter Shop on Somerville Ave. within the festival area |
| 2018 Fluff Festival T-shirts (onesies, toddlers, youth & adults) |
| What the Fluff Hats |
| What the Fluff Tote Bags |
| Fluff Stickers |
| Fuff Boy Comic |
| Looking for a T-shirt from a previous year? Check out the Fluff Vault at Bow Market. |
Other Tables
Festival Map
Getting Here
We highly recommend alternative means of getting to Union Square including by bike, by bus or walking. We’re just a 25 minute walk from Lechmere, Porter, Harvard, Central or Sullivan Squares.
By Train
Red Line MBTA: Take Red Line to Harvard Square, then the #86 (Sullivan Square) bus to Union Square. Or take the Red Line to Davis Square, then the #87 (Lechmere) bus to Union Square.
Orange Line MBTA: Take the Orange Line to Sullivan Square, then the #86 (Allston) bus or the #91 (Central Square) bus to Union Square.
Green Line MBTA: Take the Green Line to Lechmere Station, then the #87 (Clarendon Hill) bus to Union Square.
By Bus
86: Sullivan Station – Reservoir (Cleveland Circle) via Harvard/Johnston Gate
87: Arlington Center or Clarendon Hill – Davis Station or Lechmere Station via Somerville Ave.
88: Clarendon Hill – Lechmere Station via Highland Avenue
91: Sullivan Station – Central Sq., Camb. via Washington St.
Routes 86, 87 and 91 detoured around Union Square from 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, September 24.
If you do decide to drive, it’s recommended to park on the outskirts of Union Square.
By Bike
Rent a Hubway bike and park it at the Union Square Station.
Thank You to Our 2018 Sponsors
2018 Presenting Sponsor
2018 Gold Sponsors
2018 Bronze Sponsor
-
Crowdsourcer Sponsor
2018 Copper Sponsors
2018 Media Sponsor
2018 Banner Sponsors
2018 In-Kind Sponsors
- Mike's Automotive Services
- Union Gulf Service LLC
Union Square Main Streets. ©2018. All Rights Reserved. Site by ICS
For more information, contact Jessica Eshleman at [email protected] or 617-955-0080 or visit the Union Square Main Streets website: www.unionsquaremain.org