Feathers and laughter filled the air as people dressed as Vikings and dinosaurs carried pillows and invaded Washington Square Park on Saturday for New York City’s eighth annual celebration of International Pillow Fight Day.

International Pillow Fight Day is a part of the Urban Playground Movement, a non-consumer group that aims to “organize free, fun, all ages, non-commercial public events,” according to the organization’s website.

Hundreds of people of all ages, including foreigners, NYU students and native New Yorkers, filled Washington Square Park to either participate in the feather-flying frenzy or to watch from the park’s stone benches at a safe distance from the fight.

New York was one of 22 cities across the globe that hosted a pillow fight on April 6.

“I saw it last year because I lived in Hayden, but I was too scared [to join in],” said CAS sophomore Katerina Sevastakis.

“I think it’s just a good time. It’s a non-violent way to get your aggression out,” said CAS sophomore Maddy Kessler, a friend of Sevastakis.

Some participants have attended New York’s pillow fight for several years.

“It’s about the same size crowd, maybe more people. Usually people join in as it goes along,” said New York resident Melissa John, who has participated in the last four International Pillow Fights.

“I’m here to defend my title, because I won Pillow Fight [Champion] in France in July 2012,” said Julian Roge, who sported a Santa Claus hat. “But honestly, the level [of competition] is very high here.”

Eric Das, another visitor from France, attended with his friends. Das, who wore a skin-tight red bodysuit and a red afro as a costume, said he had been looking forward to the pillow fight for weeks.

“It was a great day, we had a lot of fun,” Das said.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, April 8 print edition. Amanda Zambito is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].