Asheville News

A message from the organizer of Asheville’s anti-Valentine’s Day flash mob pillow fight

Jason Sandford February 15, 2011

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

From organizer Solon:

This seems like the start of a pillow-based revolution!

Thanks to the many hundreds of people who showed up! My favorite part was how a 50-person cuddle puddle materialized in the middle of the pillow-fight, with the cops looking on.

I was blown away to hear from several people that the pfight was one of the funnest things they had *ever* done. Wow!

There are tons of great pics, and some links have been posted in the group’s ‘comments.’ Check out pics, and feel free to tag away!! I would encourage photographers to post their photos or links in the ‘comments’ area, if they haven’t already done so.

Last, I wanted to try and channel some of that good ju-ju, and carry it forward into this delicious new year. Maybe some continuing creative spark will come from this! Oh and I definitely think this will become an annual event 🙂

People who have ideas and energy: if you want to discuss ways to do similar things in the future, perhaps in the style of “Improve Everywhere” in NYC (or perhaps not), join this group, and feel free to post ideas, etc. Some form of fun will come out of this, I feel sure.

Link here.

Solon

PS: I dropped my ‘Nacho-Libre’ style Mexican wrestling mask. If you or one of your friends found it, I’ll buy you a beer if you give it back.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Asheville Dweller February 16, 2011

Its not really a flash mob if it was advertised in the local paper 3 days in a advanced. People should know by now that Asheville is not very original.

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mogmismo February 16, 2011

Yes, I agree, perhaps flashmob wasn't the best term, but fun never-the-less. I'm not sure this particular event was meant to be for passer-by's or the participants, but I'll say it worked. That said, I had 3 people interested and asking me what was going on on the square as I left.

And here's a Asheville Style Photo gallery about the event.

P.S. @solon (Your facebook group is closed, must communicate here): Is this the the mask in which you seek?

Reply
Ricky Party February 16, 2011

While I definitely enjoy and support the spirit of these events, is it really appropriate to call these "flash mob" events? There's really nothing improv or spontaneous about a giant group of people standing around waiting for the clock to tick down, while multiple onlookers stand by with cameras ready. Pretty much everyone knew what was going to happen. It just came across as an organized, slightly contrived spectacle.

I know, I know. Lighten up and don't take it so seriously, right? Fair enough. I just think this particular idea would have been more successful as what it was intended to be if it were executed on a spring or summer weekend afternoon when there are hundreds of legitimate passer-by already around the square.

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