Five-hundred and ninety-two participants hold up husked corn after Chilliwack's successful Guinness World Record breaking attempt in July.
Photograph by: TIMES , File
Chilliwack has finally earned its rightful place as a Guinness World Record holder.
This week Star FM received the official certificate from Guinness confirming 592 people set the world record for "The most people husking corn" on July 6.
The event took place at the first Party in the Park of the season at Central Community Park. The world-record attempt was hosted by Star FM to celebrate the station's 85th birthday.
There was room for 1,000 people to participate but in the end approximately 600 participants took part. After the event, Star FM program director Teresa Laynes said a couple dozen had to be disqualified for various reasons.
The evidence from two photographers, one videographer and two Mounties who served as official witnesses
was then submitted to Guinness for verification. Four and a half months later, the certificate arrived and the record is official. The previous official Guinness World Record for simultaneous corn shucking was 351, set on July 14, 2011, at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.
So why attempt this record?
"What other Guinness World Record attempt would you make from Chilliwack?" Laynes said. "It makes perfect sense. Our city, like it or not, is very well-known for its ability to grow corn so it just makes sense."
There was one minor "scandal" at the event when it was learned they were not using Chilliwack corn. The problem was that the local ears hadn't perked up yet and July 6 was the only Party in the Park date given to Star FM.
"It was not ideal, but it was about promoting Chilliwack corn and we did that," Laynes said.
