The LaughFest 2015 kickoff ceremony planners once again called upon the public to try to break another world record.
This year the goal was to beat the world record for the most people wearing paper crowns. The record was set when 1,324 people gathered in Tamilnadu, India in July of 2014. Possibly due to unusually cold weather, only approximately 500 people made it to the event hosted indoors at Fountain Street Church.
LaughFest has broken four world records previously at the opening event. Last year, 1,675 people set the record for most people wearing sunglasses in the dark. In 2013, 1,532 wore fake mustaches to set the record for the largest amount of people wearing fake mustaches at a single venue. In 2012, 607 individuals set the record for the most people wearing animal noses at a single venue. In 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed around downtown Grand Rapids to beat the previous record of 265 set near Boston.
Despite not reaching the goal, the attendees were entertained with a night full of dancing led by Live.Dance.Move.
Additionally, funds were raised by selling LaughFest merchandise and donations. All proceeds went to Gilda’s Club which supports families impacted by cancer. For more information on LaughFest, visit laughfestgr.org.
Live.Dance.Move. led the crowd periodically with dancing.
“Everything at Gilda’s Club is free, and free is very expensive. So your support is what keeps that door open and keeps helping members of your community,” said Michael Radner, brother of Gilda Radner.
At the close of the event, attendees threw their crowns into the air. (2015)
People waited eagerly in 15º weather outside of Fountain Street Church.
“We have dinner afterwards with my parents, so we said we’re going to wear it there, and we’re going to wear them in Ann Arbor and back in class,” said Andreea Matei with Sam Mencina. Both are juniors at University of Michigan.
Live.Dance.Move. led the crowd periodically with dancing.
“I still think it’s a great show of support for our program at Gilda’s Club, and I think that our message of emotional health and how important it is, and how important it is to be real and smile and fine some joy in your life…We have a great ten days lined up so all is good,” said Melissa Budzynski, LMSW, a program social worker at Gilda’s Club.
LaughFest merchandise was sold to raise money for Gilda’s Club, an organization that supports families impacted by cancer
“Grand Rapids is going to do it. They always break the record on everything, and more power to them,” said Jan Lloyd early on at the kickoff.
