This weekend, Union Square Park will host its annual pillow fight.  It’s a day to cancel your therapist appointment, sleep in and all you need to participate (aside from frustration and energy but you have that covered) is your pillow.

New York City began this tradition back in 2003.  It has become so popular, 2 years later, it became a world wide event and is now an official international holiday with more and more cities participating each year.

A holiday wouldn’t be complete without: a) the retailers gaining revenue from it; and b) the ability to give back.  I imagine all of the discounted home goods stores (i.e. Target, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath Beyond) see a jump in their pillow sales days leading up for those whom love their pillow and don’t want to risk it busting open.

And at the end of your own little therapy session with thousands of your closest friends, should you feel you no longer want to sleep on the pillow you just hit many others faces with, there will be a location in the park to donate your pillow that will be taken to homeless shelters in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

If you’ve never been but don’t necessarily want to participate, it’s still fun to check out. If you do participate, there aren’t any rules per se but there are some guidelines so be sure to know them before the start.

Happy Pillow Day!