USA: 607 people dressed as elves create a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of elves

Record ID: 822430

  • Title: USA: 607 people dressed as elves create a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of elves
  • Date: 10th December 2009
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 07, 2009) (REUTERS) ABC EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS DRESSED AS ELVES AND GATHERED TOGETHER IN BRYANT PARK, MANHATTAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST GATHERING OF ELVES VARIOUS OF THE ELVES HOLDING SIGNS READING "ELVES GET A BUM WRAP" AND "FREE THE NORTH POLE" DANNY L. GIRTON JR., ADJUDICATIONS EXECUTIVE, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ANNOUNCING THAT 607 PEOPLE DRESSED AS ELVES HAD CREATED A NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE OF THE LARGEST GATHERING OF SANTA'S ELVES ELVES CHEERING GIRTON JR. POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS WITH ACTOR DEAN MCDERMOTT AND ACTRESS JENNY MCCARTHY (WITH HER SON EVAN), LEAD ACTORS OF THE NEW FILM, "SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE" (SOUNDBITE) (English) DANNY L. GIRTON JR., ADJUDICATIONS EXECUTIVE, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, SAYING: "Today there were 607 people out here in this freezing cold temperatures living up a really fantastic time and we had certain documentations in place to verify that indeed 607 people were present for ten minutes. There were time-keepers to validate the time requirements, we also had log books and there were further discussions before hand regarding the dress that everybody has on today. And I'm very pleased to say that without a doubt this is a new Guinness World Records title."
  • Embargoed: 25th December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA6B5ZW5ZRIN7CKQWIVCWQWY5J3
  • Story Text: A sea of green and red swept over Bryant Park on Monday (December 7) as more than 600 people dressed as elves gathered in an attempt to create a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of elves. All the elfin cheer ended on a happy note as a Guinness World Record representative announced that indeed 607 elves had come together for at least ten minutes to set a new Guinness World Record.
    Most of the elves were members of the American television network ABC Family along with their families. This is the first time that an elves gathering record was attempted. Danny L. Girton Jr., an Adjudications Executive with the Guinness World Records organization said they received about 1000 requests for record attempts every week. Out of these requests, only 3% actually result in credible Guinness World Record attempts. Girton said that the records organization was approached by ABC about attempting an elves gathering record and they agreed not only because it was a novel idea, but also because they felt that the attempt was in keeping with the fun holiday spirit.
    "Today there were 607 people out here in this freezing cold temperatures living up a really fantastic time and we had certain documentations in place to verify that indeed 607 people were present for ten minutes. There were time-keepers to validate the time requirements, we also had log books and there were further discussions before hand regarding the dress that everybody has on today. And I'm very pleased to say that without a doubt this is a new Guinness World Records title," said Girton.
    But the elves weren't just there to create a Guinness World Record. They had also come together to try and promote ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas" - an annual programming event that celebrates the holiday season with a series of special programming. This year, the programming will include a new film, "Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe", a sequel to the 2006 film, "Santa Baby". In the holiday movie, Jenny McCarthy stars as Santa's daughter, Mary Class, who has to contend both with Santa's mid-life crisis and his elves going on strike right at the height of Christmas madness.
    McCarthy was in Bryant Park along with her son Even, as well as her co-star in the film, Dean McDermott.
    Of the Guinness World Record achieved by the ABC Family members gathered in Bryant Park, McCarthy said she was happy that she could now tell people she was part of a world record. McCarthy was ready to change into an elf's clothes in order to help make the record but eventually didn't need to.
    Reflecting on her role in "Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe", McCarthy said, "Usually you don't see a chick wearing or taking Santa's role so to speak. Fortunately, times are a changing where a woman can fulfill such a big role and need. But in Santa Baby 2, my dad who is Santa Claus winds up retiring and wants to fulfill his own bucket list of joining a jazz band and joining a hippie group and going golfing. And so I have to fill his shoes, the problem is the elves land up going on strike because they won't work for cookies any more. So that's where I come in and try to save the day."
    Starring alongside McCarthy in the film is Canadian actor Dean McDermott who plays Luke, Mary Class's love interest. The film airs on the ABC Family network on December 13th.
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