Kenwood 4th of July Celebrations
& World Pillow Fighting Championships
PO Box 249, Kenwood, CA 95452

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS – BRIEF HISTORY
Over fifty years ago, two local community groups held charitable functions to help raise funds that would 
make improvements to the small wine country town of Kenwood.  One of these events was a 4th of July picnic 
and dance, which was held in the park.  It was a success.

PILLOW FIGHTS BRIEF HISTORY
A well known Kenwoodian named Tom Rooney suggested that the World Pillow Fighting Championships be held 
in Kenwood at the 4th of July Celebration.  A pole was made to span the Los Guillicos Spring Creek, the 
creek was then filled with mud and the Pillow Fights were ready to make history. The World Pillow Fighting 
Championships, now a Kenwood tradition, is now one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer.  
Since then the Pillow Fights have receive National and International recognition via television, radio and 
print publications.  Folks travel from all over the world to take part in the pillow fight competition, either 
as a contestant or as sideline observers.  What ever their involvement, people young and old alike enjoy 
this now famous and unusual competition.

THE 38TH ANNUAL
Descending on this little town of 1,200 every 4th of July are 10,000 visitors from as far away as Australia 
and all points in between. If you have never been to the World Pillow Fighting Championships you have to 
experience this ‘mudfest', at least once. It's amazing that even after 38 years, there are still many who 
have no idea it exists. (They cannot possibly live in Kenwood!). 

Why does this little town event prove to be so popular?  Could it be that July 4th is just the best darn 
holiday ever, or do people just love watching grown-ups play in the mud? Whose idea was it any way to sit 
on a cold steel pole and get whacked by a pillow just to milk mud out of every nook of and cranny of your 
body for a week? Very simply, the volunteers and Firefighters of Kenwood are convinced that people still 
love good old fashion fun and frivolity. Most people have too much stress and structure in their day to 
day lives and want to get out of their rut. There is no better place to leave your inhibitions at the door 
and find a way to stake your claim in the world as a "Championship Pillow Fighter". 



Voice: (707) 833-2440 
Fax: (707) 833-4412
E-mail:annemarie@kenwoodpillowfights.com
www.kenwoodpillowfights.com