Yes, Dickson Pillow Fights are real ― and 'sanctioned' at Saturday event

Two warriors will face each other Saturday in downtown Dickson. In their hands, a professionally sanctioned fighting pillow.

Below them, a muddy pool and a slick pole to straddle.

Heads will be hit (with love). People will fall (into mud).

It’s the inaugural Dickson Pillow Fights.

The pillow fight is sanctioned by the Pillow Fight Championship, with official pro pillows.

However, Allison Avalon, event organizer and Heal Humanity executive director, is modeling the Dickson event after a longtime, Guinness World Records-holding pillow fight in Kenwood, California. That event was held annually from 1966 to 2006 and was declared the “longest running pillow fighting contest.”

“I grew up in Sonoma County and attended the event yearly as a kid,” Avalon said. “It was a phenomenal event and ... I was thinking what I could do to raise awareness of human trafficking.”

Avalon, a Dickson County resident, created Heal Humanity, a nonprofit that works to end human trafficking in the county and in surrounding rural communities.

“By addressing the seven risk factors that lead to not only human trafficking but addiction and homelessness as well, we are helping to build a safer, healthier tomorrow for the youth and families in our community,” Avalon said.

The $10 admission fee will go toward Heal Humanity.

“It's a full day event and we would love the opportunity to share about the event and the mission of Heal Humanity,” Avalon said.

So, about the pillow fights … and the mud

The pool, made out of a tarp and hay, will be set up on South Mulberry Street, directly in front of the Mulberry Mill building. The roughly 4 feet of pool water will have mud in it, Avalon said, describing it as “lake water consistency.”

Avalon said they can’t go full-on mud due to the pool being located in a public street.

Food trucks and vendors will be in the Mulberry Mill parking lot in front of the building, and kids activities will be inside the mill.

Among the participants are staff from various businesses and organizations, including the Dickson County Help Center, Drug Free Dickson, Habitat for Humanity, Be Good Juice, Bloom Day Spa, Good Morning Rotary, CASA of Highland Rim, Recovery Warriors, Healthy Parks/Healthy Person, Wash 37055, and multiple local real estate agents.

Avalon said they will also take fighters on the day of the event.

More activities, vendors

The pillow fights will include seven food trucks and more than a dozen vendors, Also planned are a magic show, a science show, a kids zone, a toddler zone, a movie night, a PJ and pizza party and a quiet room for those with sensory sensitivities or autism (“or a mom needing to calm a meltdown," Avalon said.)

Shaded tables will also be available.

Dickson Pillow Fights

Saturday, July 15

10 a.m.-4 p.m. and an “after hours” event starting at 6:30 p.m.

Schedule: 

Noon — First round of pillow fights.

1:30 — Second round of pillow fights.

6:30 - After hours events: PJ party and pizza with an area for adults outside.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dickson Pillow Fights on Saturday to support Heal Humanity