They scheduled San Jose's 5th Annual Pillow Fight this day. I'd seen pictures from some of the previous versions online, so I just had to be part of this one.

     

On the way down there I saw this bumper sticker. One reason I like it is that the green they used to print it goes very well with the green bike lane to the left of where the car was parked.

When I got close people were still gathering on the paseo.

        

The air was thick with an "I've been looking forward to enjoying this" vibe.

     

Word came over the sound system "Pillow fight will commence in five minutes."

        

     

When the "Begin flailing" message came out I enjoyed the action for a while before pulling out my camera to capture images of what it was like. It was fun to participate in that pillow fight!

  

The rules of engagement were simple. "Only swing at people who are swinging pillows, and don't try to hurt anyone."

     

For sure the feathers were flying by the "BREAK!"

  

One thing I learned, wearing a cap to a pillow fight is a mistake. Thwap! Someone hits you and the hat goes flying. Then you're scrambling to rescue it or responding to the attack. The shade just wasn't worth it.

  

A couple of people were using the break to resurrect their pillows using available feathers. There were lots!

        

There was another all too brief bout of pillow fighting and then it was over but for the cleanup.

     

Never saw a feather angel before!

That sound system is something else! By the time we left the area looked as good as normal, give or take a few random feathers.

        

When talking to Linda I thought "Molybdenum" was that made up element in that old Tubes song, but more recently I looked it up, and there really is such stuff. Atomic number 42 (I like that!), and symbol "Mo."