We want to break another world record with you!

Want to know what are seriously funny and exciting?!? Mustaches! Lots of them! But what does this have to do with LaughFest, exactly?

For our community kickoff event this year, LaughFest is asking the community to help us break the existing Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people who are wearing false mustaches!

Last year, 607 individuals performed the chicken dance and set the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people wearing animal noses (specifically chicken beaks!) at a single venue. In 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed in downtown Grand Rapids, shattering the previous record of 265 set near Boston, Mass. The largest gathering of people wearing false mustaches was achieved by 648 participants at an event organized by the St. Louis Rams in September 2012.  Individuals wishing to help break this existing record at the LaughFest 2013 opening night will be provided with an official LaughFest mustache. Here’s the run down for the night:

5:30 p.m., mustache lineup begins near Rosa Parks Circle

6:15 p.m., world record practice and preliminary instructions

6:30 p.m., official attempt to break the existing world record

 

Following the attempt, several area restaurants and bars will be holding special LaughFest events. These include LaughFest chicken dinners held in partnership with the Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance. A portion of the money from every dinner sold will be donated to Gilda’s Club. The LaughFest chicken dinners will be available beginning at 6 p.m. A listing of participating restaurants and more information about the chicken dinners can be found at http://downtowngr.org/laughfestchickendinners/

Beginning at 8 p.m., four area restaurants will hold “Opening Night Parties,” which are open to the public.  The participating restaurants will have drink specials, giveaways and other surprises.  Opening Night Parties will be held at:

Pub 43, 43 Division Ave.

GP Sports

The Woods

Buffalo Wild Wings

 

Opening night preview comedy shows will be held at various locations at 8 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. LaughFest comics will provide a sneak peak of some of the Clean Comedy Showcase, local comedians, and other surprise guests who will be featured during the 10-day festival.  A suggested $5 donation to Gilda’s Club will be collected at the door.  Fast passes are available for these shows at LaughFest Central, which guarantee the holder a seat at the show as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to start time.  Artists participating include Jackie Kashian, Pete Lee, Cash Levy, Jamie Lissow, Mark Normand, Andy Ptz, Erik Rivera, Bengt Washburn, Stu McCallister, Ben Wilke, Adam Degi, Adam Trieu, Matt Lauria, Brian Borbot, Henry Sapp, DK Hamilton and David Dyer. The Opening Night Preview shows will be held at the following locations:

Dr. Grin’s at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave.

McFaddden’s Restaurant & Saloon, 58 Ionia

The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave.

 

Won’t you seriously join us to break this world record?