Have you been dying to know what I thought of Fluff Fest?
As I mentioned here, Fluff Fest is an annual celebration of all things Marshmallow Fluff in Union Square in Somerville, MA. This also happens to be where I live, so I have been looking forward to seeing what it’s all about. I must have made it sound potentially very interesting, because my parents also decided they wanted to come into the city to visit me that day…and secure some whoopie pies at the same time.
It was unseasonably warm last weekend. It felt more like summer…not exactly the kind of day you want to get all sticky eating a Fluffernutter…but the warm weather encouraged the crowds (it was definitely a party) and made me feel the warm and fuzzy for my neighborhood. There is a real sense of community in Somerville that takes the edge off the whole urban city thing, which isn’t really my thing.
For a few hours one Saturday each September, Fluff just takes over. Local businesses set up stands selling t-shirts, savory Fluff appetizers, mini-marshmallow guns (I got pinged on the head with one and felt really stupid), Fluff-inspired cupcakes, whoopie pies with Fluff-infused filling, Fluffernutters, and Flufftini’s – cocktails made with Fluff. There was a live band playing songs of the 70’s and a main stage with all kind of crazy Fluff contests. There was a Fluff cooking contest, complete with over-the-top trophies. There was a man dressed like a Fluff jar and women dressed in cabaret-style outfits that is somehow a Fluff Fest tradition, but I don’t know why…I didn’t take a photo of them but someone else did here.
Time to share some photos!
“Shenanigans” Main Stage (that word is so bad)
Fluff and Peanut Butter Hairdo Contest
Grand Prize Cooking Contest Trophy
Fluffernutters – $2.00
Pumpkin and Chocolate Whoopie Pies!!
Mom and me in seasonally inappropriate colors..with local bakery Kickass Cupcakes Fluff-inspired creation.
The Fluff center just oozed out.
But it didn’t slow Arthur down!
Fluff cocktails for sale at Precinct.
We waited for awhile to eat here so we could try the martini but it was a madhouse so we ended up getting Thai food, which was blessedly untouched by Fluff. We did get whoopie pies to take home and eat later. Mom and Arthur stuck with traditional chocolate/vanilla Fluff filling…but I got pumpkin, which ended up having a cream cheese Fluff filling.
Overall, I would say Fluff Fest 2010 was a success, and it’s always a treat getting a visit from my wonderful parents!
Maybe next year I will participate in the cooking contest. How can you not want that classy trophy?
