No napping: Pillows sought for fun fight

Saturday at 3 p.m., the birds will be singing, the sun will be shining (hopefully), and the pillows will be flying at Bicentennial Park as Boulder City residents celebrate International Pillow Fight Day.

Justin Keogh said his daughter, Alexandra, was studying abroad in London last year when she saw thousands of people having a pillow fight in the middle of Trafalgar Square.

“Everyone showed up in onesies and had pillows in hand,” Alexandra said. “Once it hit 3 p.m. madness ensued. Everyone had a blast.”

When Keogh heard his daughter’s story about what she saw in Trafalgar Square, he encouraged her to organize a pillow fight in Boulder City.

“She was shocked by it,” he said. “I told her, ‘Why don’t you start one here?’ ”

From New York to Hong Kong, people from around the world will be celebrate by hitting their friends, family and strangers with pillows Saturday.

Keogh said it’s a great way for people to have fun outside while taking a break from social media. He’s hopeful plenty of people will show up for the Boulder City pillow fight.

“I’ve already bought my whistle and we’re just gonna have at it,” Keogh said. “It’s gonna be really fun.”

The only requirement, according to Keogh, is to bring your own pillow.

“Don’t count on me to provide your pillows,” he joked. “B.Y.O.P.”

Pillow fights have been held internationally since 2008 as part of urban playground movement, which was created to encourage people to engage in noncommercial public events and more social interaction.

Alexandra said she was astonished to see strangers participating in giant pillow fight, but it was exciting to see them having so much fun.

“I thought it might be fun to re-create such amusement in Boulder City,” she said.

In addition to the Boulder City event, a pillow fight is planned at UNLV.