Hundreds Gather for Rat Cult Meeting in Boston Common
Social media followers met at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for a costume contest and rat-themed festivities.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Civic
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Hundreds of people gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Boston Common for an event organized by a figure known as the Rat Queen. Attendees participated in a costume contest and engaged in themed activities fueled by social media.
Why it matters
The gathering, organized by a user identified as Kevin, aimed to promote lighthearted silliness and improve the life satisfaction of the participants. The event highlights the growing influence of niche online communities in orchestrating real-world public gatherings.
Attendees included 21-year-old Liam Kusmin, who provided homemade beer-infused sharp cheddar cheese, and 19-year-old Damien Nguyen. The event featured music from the movie Ratatouille and included a costume contest and the distribution of rat prizes.
The players
Sariah Wertman
She is a social media performer known online as the Rat Queen who leads the community.
Liam Kusmin
He is a 21-year-old attendee who participated in the event by bringing specialized food items.
Damien Nguyen
He is a 19-year-old attendee who participated in the community gathering.
The details
Participants were alerted to the gathering through Instagram posts by performer Sariah Wertman, known as the Rat Queen. During the meeting, the crowd chanted phrases such as 'cheese' and 'rat cult' while waving flashlights in the public space.
Timeline
The initial Rat Cult Meeting took place on October 17, 2026, at the Boston Common.
A follow-up Rat Cult Meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026, in Salem.
Industry Dynamics
This event reflects the broader cultural trend of digital communities transitioning into real-world, physical spaces to increase community engagement. The reliance on social media figures to drive local attendance mirrors how modern creators leverage online followings to manifest tangible public participation.
Residents and park visitors in the Boston Common area may notice future gatherings of this nature as the movement continues to schedule events in nearby locations. Those interested in participating can monitor the organizer's social media channels for details on upcoming meetups.
The takeaway
Online niche communities are increasingly capable of coordinating large-scale, in-person public events through simple digital outreach. Participants interested in such gatherings should remain aware of potential park or location usage policies for future, unscheduled public meetups.
What happens next
A second Rat Cult Meeting is scheduled to take place in Salem on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local public events, visit the Boston Civic page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Free Press.
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