The organizers of this year’s What the Fluff? Festival need volunteers to help set up and maintain the Union Square locations where the festivities will take place. — Photo courtesy of Union Square Main Streets

Fluff Festival seeking volunteers
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By Bella Levavi

1917, in Somerville Massachusetts Archibald Query invented the famous Marshmallow Fluff that gets spread on toast, often with peanut butter. 104 years later Query didn’t know the festival celebrating the tasty snack would still be going strong with 16 years of history with this year’s Sweet 16: Onward & Fluffward event.

This year, the What the Fluff? festival is calling for volunteer applications to work on a team to turn Union Square  into what they call a “Fluff-topia.” They plan on working with local artists and community members to create street installations, some that are temporary, possibly including the sugary spread, and some that will stay in the square commemorating the invention of Fluff here in Somerville for visitors of the area long after the fest is over.

People who take on the Fluff-topia Lead Job will work with all the moving pieces of the festival to ensure a smooth street festival that is safe for all in attendance.

According to their website, attributes necessary for the job are friendly, dynamic, organized, and full of love for Somerville and Marshmallow Fluff. The leaders will be paid a stipend of $1,500 for their work and will be expected to work 10-15 hours a week.

Last year, the festival was held remotely due to pandemic precautions. The videos from their live stream can still be seen on their website. This year the festival will still look different from years past.

Before the pandemic, the street was shut down to drivers, and people were invited to walk around Union Square with activities in the street. This year, select businesses around the square will open their doors to Fluff Festival goers with new dishes from restaurants incorporating Fluff into their menu. People are also invited to explore street installations inspired by Fluff “to engage with art and each other.”

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. And if you are not ready for the job, stop by the festival on Wednesday, September 22 through Sunday, September 26 in Union Square for Marshmallow Fluff galore. For more information and to apply, go to: https://www.unionsquaremain.org/flufffestival.