Fluff Festival 2026 Community Group Application Form

Fluff Festival 2026 Community Group/Non-Profit Application

Thank you for your interest in participating as a Community Group at the 2026 What the Fluff? Festival: Legally Fluff: A Toast to Union Square
This application is for Community Groups/Non-Profit Organizations only. If this does not describe you or your business, please fill out the Vendor Application Form.

Please note that application does not guarantee acceptance to the festival.

Festival Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 1-5pm (rain or shine)

*Sunday, 9/20 is reserved in the case of severe or extreme weather.

Festival Overview: "What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Invention,” a nationally recognized and locally beloved street festival, returns for its 21st year. The festival is produced by Union Square Main Streets, a 501(c)3 economic empowerment nonprofit, in partnership with the Somerville Arts Council.

This year’s theme – Legally Fluff: A Toast to Union Square – invites Fluff fans from far and wide to raise a glass of their favorite bubbly bev to celebrate Somerville’s signature sweet spread in style.

Fluff Festival will reserve up to fifteen (15) 10'x10' spaces within the Festival footprint for Community/Non-Profit Groups. Groups will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Vendors, including Community Groups, as well as attendees, may not engage in promotion of religious groups, political statements, campaigning, petitioning, or signature gathering. This extends to, but is not limited to, booth setup and packaging.

Fees:
- There is no application fee for Community Groups.
- A $75 fee per booth will be due upon acceptance. Accepted groups will receive a link to pay their fee along with their accepted notice.
- Somerville City Departments can also apply; there is no fee for Somerville City Departments.
In the unlikely event that the Festival needs to be canceled for public health or safety reasons, vendor fees will be applied with automatic acceptance to the 2027 Fluff Festival.
I understand my group may not engage in the promotion of religious ideology or groups, political campaigning, petitioning, or signature gathering at my booth or anywhere within the Fluff Festival footprint.
I understand that, if accepted, there will be a $75 fee per booth space for any non-City Departments to participate in the festival.
I understand and agree that in the unlikely event that the Festival needs to be canceled for public health reasons, my vendor fee will be applied with automatic acceptance to the 2027 Fluff Festival.

Setup & Breakdown:
- On the day of the event, setup will begin at 11:30am.
- All vendors must be ready for the Festival to start at 1pm.
- Breakdown begins promptly at 5pm.
- The premises MUST be cleared by 6pm.
Vendor Booth Space Specifics:
- Only the 10'x10' space is provided.
- Vendors must provide their own tent (with weights) and any other equipment used in the space (tables, chairs, etc.)
- Tents must be properly weighted (40 lbs per leg) at all times.
- All materials must fit within the confines of the 10'x10' space reserved.
- If vendor does not have a tent and/or proper weights, the vendor will not be cleared to open for business.
Electricity: Electricity is NOT available for vendors. Please plan your booth accordingly or provide your own sternos, SILENT generators (approved by USMS in advance) or power banks, if needed.

No gas generators are allowed at the festival.

Additionally, no vehicles are allowed within the festival footprint during the festival hours.

Vendors will be provided in advance with a map of the event layout, booth placement, and clear instructions for setup and breakdown.
I understand that only the 10'x10' space is provided. Tents, tables, chairs, and any other equipment needed must be provided by the vendor.
I understand that tents and tent weights of 40lbs per leg are required to participate. Failure to provide proper equipment will result in dismissal from the Festival and no refund.
I understand that electricity is NOT available and that gas generators are NOT allowed at the festival.
I understand that vehicles are NOT allowed within the festival footprint during festival hours.
I understand that breakdown begins promptly at 5pm and that the premises must be cleared by 6pm. I also understand that not abiding by this schedule will impact my ability to participate in future Fluff Festivals.

Organizational Information
Organization or Group Name
Contact Name

First NameLast Name
E-mail
example@example.com
Phone Number:
Business Website or Social Media:
Is your group located in Somerville, MA?
If "No", please let us know where you are based.
What is your role within the group?
Indicate which option best describes your group

Other
Tell us about your organization (i.e. mission):
What would your table presentation consist of? What kind of displays will you have?

Will your group or organization be selling anything at this year’s festival?
Product Policies:
- Any and all items sold/presented at the Festival must be original, authentic creations conceived and executed entirely by the vendor, or the vendor must have the appropriate licenses and permissions.
- What the Fluff? celebrates and honors expression of human imagination, creation, and community. Artificial Intelligence can be used as a tool, but it should not be the primary creator of your products.
- Festival organizers reserve the right as sole purveyor at the Festival of fluffernutter sandwiches.
- The Festival hires a local artist to create an artistic representation of each year’s Festival theme for use on the official What the Fluff? merchandise and promotional items. Vendors may not utilize the annual design or official “What the Fluff?” festival logo on any product for profit.
Insurance: All vending participants must also carry their own General Liability Coverage Policy up to $1,000,000 in order to sell goods at the What the Fluff? Festival. The certificate of insurance (COI) must have Union Square Main Streets, Inc. listed as a certificate holder and as an additionally insured party. The COI must be submitted to USMS prior to the festival.
I understand and agree that, if accepted, I will provide my own General Liability Coverage Policy up to $1,000,000 in order to sell goods at the What the Fluff? Festival and that the certificate of insurance (COI) must have Union Square Main Streets, Inc. listed as a certificate holder and as an additionally insured party.
Product Information: Please list and describe all the products you plan to sell at your booth (including Fluff-related elements) on separate lines. Include approximate pricing for each item. It is important to ensure all products are included here, otherwise they will not be permitted to be sold.
Attach 3 photos of your products here: (You may also email them to vending@unionsquaremain.org if needed.)
Accepted file formats: GIF, JPG and PNG
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I hereby grant and authorize Union Square Main Streets the right to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute and make use of any and all pictures or video taken of me and my products to be used in and/or for any lawful promotional materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, fundraising letters, annual reports, press kits and submissions to journalists, websites, social networking sites and other print and digital communications, without payment or any other consideration.
I hereby grant permission to Union Square Main Streets to use and reproduce any portion of the photo images I have posted on social media channels for the purposes listed above.
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Fluff Festival 2026 Community Group/Non-Profit Application

Organizational Information