Not even Hurricane Ike could slow down the power behind the love of Fluff! It was another super-fun party to celebrate the creation of  Marshmallow Fluff right here in Union Square in 1917 by the culinary genius,  Archibald Query.

The "What the Fluff?" Festival took place on our still rainy rain date of Sunday, September 28, 2008  

"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. The event is made possible thanks to generous business support, talented team leaders  and a magnificent group of volunteers. 

T-shirts in those sizes still available are now on sale in Union Square at Grand, 374 Washington St.

Fluff Boy Comic Books are now available at Hub Comics, 19 Bow Street.

Check out those who captured the event at these spots:

Flickr - by MelissaMassello

Linda Gritz's collection

Pics from Allison Stevens

And video #1 from Allison

and video #2 from her

Boston News Net - from our 2008 Pharaoh Kristina Smarz

Somerville Journal

Main Article from Somerville Journal includes some great pics also piece specifically on the Pharaoh

Read the Pharaoh speeches and oath

and for fun - tutorial to Make a Fluffernutter Keychain

Gallery Exhibit & Comic books: As part of this year's festival, learn the story behind one of the event's most beloved characters, Fluff Boy! In a 32-page full-scale comic book, Somerville graphic artists tell how Jimmy, a sweet youth from Union Square, is transformed into a Fluff-filled superhero and through many struggles comes to terms with his new sticky superpowers.  Original art from the book on display during the festival and through October 31 at SCAT, 90 Union Square. Comic books on sale at the USMS sales booth. 

See all about the Fluff Boy comic book.

Cooking Contest: We all know Fluff can be used in a number of excellent recipes. Stay tuned to learn about this year's panel of illustrious judges.  You can take part in this year's contest by baking your own original Fluff recipe or presenting the best interpretation of a classic or not so well known published recipe.

This year's exciting judges are: Robin Young, radio host WBUR's Here and Now;  Will Gilson, award-winning chef of The Garden at the Cellar; Alex Whitmore, co-owner of Taza Chocolate; and the lucky youth who wins our Fluff-themed essay contest.

 
The picture above is of award-winning Baron Von Fluffertruffles cookies.  Grand prize in '07 was the  original recipe of Flumkin Roll by Lara Petrak.

Performances: We'll have two stages this year -- one for musical performances and another for the messy Fluff Shenanigans. 

Yes, The Flufferettes return for this year's event! And we welcome as the headliner Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, a group of raucous musicians that combine the musical history of the circus, eastern Europe, avant garde jazz and modern vaudeville. Also scheduled is head-bopping pop from  The Shrinking Islands and blues from Patsy Hamel Band.

Light & Fluffy Shenanigans & Prizes: Take part in a wide array of wacky games.  We'll see the return of favorites including The Fluff Lick-Off, Blind Man's Fluff, and the Fluff roulette we call Fluff Fear Factor, as well as some new silliness like "Pin the F on Fluff Boy" and Sweet Fortune Fishing.

Compete to be crowned the Fabulous Pharaoh of Fluff.  Declare your candidacy

and secure the crowd's support to be hailed as our sultan of sugar. Wear the fabulous crown made by Beth Buckley and Liz Perlman of CostumeWorks as you're interviewed on-air live Monday morning by Doug VB Goudie on Fox 25 Morning News.

Fluff Stuff & Grub:

This year we've outside vendors to make this a real party. Savor whoopie pies from Petsi's Pies, treats from Kick Ass Cupcakes and s'mores from the Girl Scouts and Taza Chocolate. The Somerville High School has classic fluffernutters and rice krispie treats.  Take a break from the sugar with a real meal from India Palace or Pao de Acucar's Brazilian barbeque.

We've even got Fluff -inspired crafts and info tables.  Learn about how to recycle all those empty fluff containers and other uses of corn and corn syrup, get screened for diabetes from the Neighborhood Health Plan, and more! 

Getting in the Mood: Fluff will be all over Union Square.  From Fluffernutter sandwiches and fancy desserts to Fluff inspired cocktails, even deep discounts and after-festival parties, everyone's getting in on the celebration.

Pictured is Jerry over at P.A.'s Lounge sipping a Fluffachino.