Annual "What the Fluff" Festival Scheduled for Sat., Sept. 26

Saturday, September 26 2015

3–7 p.m.
 (Rain date Sunday, September 27)

Union Square Plaza in Somerville

Where Prospect Street, Washington Street and Somerville Avenue meet.


Complete details at www.flufffestival.com

About the Event
 
“What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Invention” honors local innovation and creativity.  The illustrious Fluff creator, Archibald Query, concocted the beloved gooey spread right here in Union Square in 1917.  On Saturday, September 26, 2015, the tenth anniversary of the madcap festival will celebrate Archibald Query's invention of Marshmallow Fluff with musical performances, a cooking contest, fun for every age, and Fluff treats of every sort.

The Fluff Festival offers zany activities for every age. Children will enjoy Fluff games at the Midway Kids Area, games and activities overseen by Knucklebones, a ride on our Roaming Railroad train, face painting, and sand art. There is plenty of fun for all ages provided by Villari Martial Arts, MA Ghostbusters, Brooklyn Boulders, and our Shenanigans Stage, overseen by our own Archibald Query, featuring sticky activities such as Fluff jousting, Fluff Musical Chairs, Blind Man’s Fluff and even Fluff Hair-Do -  that shows that it’s perfectly okay to play with your food.
 
Vendors will have a variety of Fluff inspired crafts, and fest-goers can sample the taste of Fluff from our local vendors presenting sweet and savory Fluffalicious delights like Fluff Pizza, Fluff Tacos, Fluffanutta Donuts and lots and lots more. Area businesses get into the spirit too, turning over their menus. Fluff-inspired cocktails and Fluff-topped beer are on tap at nearby restaurants.

In addition to the fun activities and games, tasty and unique food, and fluffacious crafts, there is great music on the Main Stage. This year’s performances include Ten Tumbao, a funky & soulful Afro-Latin-Caribbean band; the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, a costumed funk/street beat improvisational brass band performing a unique blend of original and traditional music; and Lilla, offering a blend of soul, hip hop, reggae and pop with a jazzy twist. This year we will also have a performance by the School of Honk at our Sidestage.  All in all, get ready to dance!

And, of course, no Fluff Festival would be complete without the Flufferettes.  They were originally a music group in the 1930s that promoted Fluff on the radio for Durkee Mower, the makers of Marshmallow Fluff.  We bring that group alive each year for the visual age as colorful and sassy song-and-dance performers.   The ladies of Rogue Burlesque return to the festival with their unique brand of gorgeous, geeky burlesque.

Each year we also seek to promote local creativity through our Cooking Contest.  This is a great opportunity to test your culinary genius and sink deep into the sugary fun by creating a marshmallowy concoction for the cook-off. The winner gets a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Durkee Mower Fluff Factory.

“What the Fluff?” is expected to attract 10,000 Fluff fans.  Traffic will be re-routed around Union Square to accommodate festival activities.


Date:  Saturday, September 26 2015.  3–7 pm
(Rain date Sunday, September 27)



Where: Union Square Plaza in Somerville. Where Prospect Street, Washington Street and Somerville Avenue meet.


Cost: Free

Activities:

• Main Stage: Musical performances by Ten Tumbao, Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, Lilla, and with special theatrical presentation by the Flufferettes as interpreted by Rogue Burlesque.
• Cooking Contest: Whip up an original recipe with Fluff or present your best interpretation of a classic. The Cooking Contest Grand Prize Winner gets a tour of the Durkee Mower Fluff factory, a one-of-a-kind trophy and gift certificates to local businesses.

Shenanigans Stage: All the big, messy Fluff games have their own stage, overseen by our Archibald Query, with games including Fluff Lick-Off, Blind Man's Fluff, Fluff Musical Chairs, Fluff Hair Dos and Fluff Jousting. 

Fluff Games for All Ages: Fluff bowling, Fluff constructions, Pyramid Toss and the game of culinary roulette we call Fluff Fear Factor.  Win prizes! All Fluff Midway Games are free.
• More Fluff Fun: Knucklebones, Brooklyn Boulders, MA Ghostbusters, Villari Martial Arts, the School of Honk and Roaming Railroad train rides. 

Vendors: Buy Fluff treats and Fluff inspired items from whoopie pies to Fluffernutters.  


Sponsorship: 
What the Fluff? is produced by Union Square Main Streets and sponsored by The Somerville Arts Council’s ArtsUnion with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the City of Somerville and generous supporters, including Teddie Peanut Butter, Naveo, US2 and Allstate.   Union Square Main Streets works collaboratively to actively support a vibrant neighborhood by preserving the character and advancing the economic strength of the Union Square business district and community.