Gilda’s Club “LaughFest” Hopes to set Another World’s Record

They're doing it again, trying to set a world's record.

It's always funny stuff, and today's announcement is no different, that the nation’s first ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest, will attempt to break an existing Guinness World Record. This year’s record attempt will be Thursday, March 7th.  They're going to try to have the largest gathering of people who are wearing false mustaches!  No, I'm not kidding, false mustaches!

Goofy?  Yes!  Funny?  Yes!  Fun?  Yes!

Each of LaughFest's first two years have been record setting.  Last year, 607 people danced 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 number of people wearing false moustaches was 648 participants at an event organized by the St. Louis Rams in September 2012.

So, can we beat that?  OF COURSE!

Want to help out?  Anyone wanting to help break this existing record at the LaughFest 2013 opening night will be provided with an official LaughFest mustache.

Here's the schedule for Thursday, March 7th:

• 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

But wait, there's more.  Other opening events 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/

And, there's more.  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

Then, 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. The Opening Night Preview shows will be held at:
• Dr. Grin’s at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave.
• McFaddden’s Restaurant & Saloon, 58 Ionia
• The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave.

LaughFest 2013 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows including this year’s Signature Event, with entertainer Wayne Brady. Brady currently appears as the host of Let’s Make a Deal and previously won an Emmy for his role on the improv comedy show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?

This year’s festival will also feature: Grammy award winning comedian, Lewis Black; Saturday Night Live alum, Jim Breuer; Breaking Bad actor and comedian, Bill Burr; E! network host and actor on NBC’s comedy series Community, Joel McHale; and one of the country’s premier comedians, Brian Regan. Other acts include: L.A.-based comedy duo, Garfunkel and Oates; actor and comedian, Gary Valentine; and Food Network host and magician, Justin Willman, amongst others.

For a complete list of Gilda’s LaughFest 2013’s performers and events, or to purchase tickets, visit www.laughfestgr.org or call 616-753-HAHA (4242).