It was another wild party as we celebrated the 90th anniversary of Marshmallow Fluff. 1917 was the year when Archibald Query used his genius to mastermind Fluff right here in Somerville's Union Square.  We celebrated the creation of this great American foodstuff with a madcap tribute on  September 29, 2007. Artists, musical and theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists and hundreds and hundreds paid yummy homage.

We'll be doing it all again in 2008 with "What the Fluff? Election Special!" on Saturday, September 27, 2008 so mark your calendars!

"What the Fluff?" is presented by Union Square Main Streets as part of ArtsUnion, an initiative shepherded by the Somerville Arts Council and funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

T-shirts in most sizes and tote bags are still available for purchase at Grand, 374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA.   

Check out videos and photos from the event!

The Somerville Journal

Great video by Kat Powers of the Somerville Journal

The Smart Show -- this duo won the game of Blind Man's Fluff! (might not be running yet)

The Food Network, a cable channel, has a show called "Unwrapped." Their crew was here.  We're part of the episode titled "Old School" that's airing first April 14, 2008.

SCAT Video, look for October 8, 2007

Boston Globe Calendar

Boston.Com weekend in pictures

Flufferette Performance

B for Brontosaurus perform the Fluffernutter Jingle

Blogs and such:

Culture Junkie

Sassy Sundry Thoughts

Photo of the Day for 10/3/07 on Bostonist.com

Universal Hub

Flickr Photo Collections by:

       Hargo

       Stage Captain Extraordinaire Allison Stevens

       Shenanigan Mistress Sarah & her friend Michelle

       Prospect Hill Booster Mulder Media

       George Photography

       Iamtonyang

       Ezra Ball

Cooking Contest: We all know Fluff can be used in a number of excellent recipes. Grand Prize was won this year by Lara Petrak for her Flumpkin Roll. Try the winning recipe yourself! She'll be heading off to the Durkee Mower Fluff factory in October 07 for her tour behind the scenes.  She also wins a gift certificate to the Independent, a What the Fluff tote bag and other fun prizes.

Our panel of judges was Renee McLeod of

 
The picture is of the award-winning Baron von Fluffertruffles by Sarah Grafman.

Performances: We had exceptional performances.  Somerville's own B for Brontosaurus played rollicking songs for all ages and led a Fluffernutter Jingle sing along.

The "nostalgically sublime" Adriel Azure and his Dream Indigo Orchestra shared swing and jazz from 1900 to 1940, the tunes Archibald once hopped to.

Thunderpants Johnson's Hillbilly Orchestra, with the best  kazoo instrumentalists, had everyone boot stomping.
 

The Flufferettes: Durkee-Mower, producer of Fluff, made their product popular through a radio show in the 1930s featuring “The Flufferettes.”  The cuties of Thru the Keyhole returned as the Flufferettes for the visual age. They entertained between band sets with lots of feathers and sass.  They also strolled among the crowd for photos, spreading their glamour among the awestruck visitors.

Light & Fluffy Shenanigans & Prizes: We had a whole array of wacky games and win tickets for a selection of prizes. There were fast tongues at the Fluff Lick-Off, coordinated partners  for Blind Man's Fluff, a  keen eyes at the Fluff Coin Toss. Folks lined up to dare the results of fate in the Fluff Culinary Roulette. Anchovies and fluff? Spam and fluff? Who knew?

Eighth Wonder of the World?: It was tall and majestic!  With 80 pounds of krispies and Fluff the creators of last year's Erupting Fluff Volcano -- Ann Petrone and "The Right Fluff" -- outdid themselves this year as they recreated the Prospect Hill Tower that overlooks Union Square. It was a faithful copy, as cocoa krispies gave the "stones" color and even the flag was the historically correct Grand Union flag.  At the end of the day the wonder was no more, as the creators chopped it up to feed the hungry hordes.

Getting in the Mood: Fluff was all over Union Square.  At Sherman Café there were Fluffernutter sandwiches (with or without bananas, toasted and untoasted) and plain or nutella rice krispie treats. Local bars served up Fluff inspired cocktails: PA’s Lounge, Sally O'Brien's,  Tir na Nog, Toast Lounge, and The Independent. The Independent also had special desserts on the menu.  And over at Toscanini's Ice Cream, there was  special Fluffy Chocolate ice cream created in honor for the event. 

Jerry of PAs is enjoying a "Fluffacino" (that's espresso with frangelico or armaretto with Fluff melted on top.)
 

Fluff Stuff & Grub: During the festival students from the Somerville High School Music Department sold fluff-filled food to satisfy every sweet tooth. And Union Square Main Streets had Fluff t-shirts, bags, cookbooks, wicked cool magnets  and specialty items for Fluff lovers.