Gilda's LaughFest Set to Make World Record, 3/5

The nation's first ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda's LaughFest, has announced plans to kick off this year's festival by inviting the community to help set another Guinness World Record onThursday, March 5, for the most people wearing paper crowns. This family friendly Community Kickoff, presented by Feyen Zylstra, will take place at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids and will include free entertainment. The first 1,500 participants will receive an exclusive commemorative LaughFest button. A small quantity of an official, limited edition world record event LaughFest t-shirt will be available for purchase. Amway will be providing hand warmers and hot chocolate to individuals in attendance. The world record attempt will be followed with opening night events at downtown restaurants and a free comedy preview show.

The current Guinness World Record for largest number of people wearing paper crowns was achieved on July 22, 2014 by 1,324 participants and was accomplished at Sathya Diabetic Centre, at Kanchipuram, in Tamilnadu, India.

March 5 - LaughFest Community Kickoff

• 5:30 p.m. - lineup begins, pre activities start

• 6:30 p.m. - program starts

• 6:45 p.m. - official attempt to break the existing record

"We couldn't be more excited about being involved in LaughFest this year." Said Nate Koetje, CEO of Feyen Zylstra, "It is truly astonishing how much Gilda's Club and LaughFest give back to the community, and we're honored to be a part of it."

Last year, 1,675 people set the record for most people wearing sunglasses in the dark. In 2013, 1,532 individuals joined LaughFest and donned false mustaches to set the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people wearing fake mustaches at a single venue. In 2012, 607 people wore chicken beaks and performed the chicken dance to set the record for the greatest number of people wearing animal noses. In 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed in downtown Grand Rapids, shattering the previous record of 265 set near Boston, Mass.

The free opening night preview comedy show will be held at the Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave.) at 10 p.m. and will include a sneak peak of local, regional and national comedians 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 will guarantee the holder a seat at the show as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to start time.

Tickets are also available for the Clean Comedy Showcase at The BOB at 8pm that night - tickets are $20 and $35.

LaughFest 2015 will be held in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland from March 5 through March 15. LaughFest headliners include: Billy Gardell, George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Nick Thune & Brody Stevens, Patton Oswalt, Bo Burnham, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Lavell Crawford and Brian Posehn. Other acts announced include: Cristela Alonzo, Pete Holms, Jim Jeffries, Jerrod Carmichael, Big Jay Oakerson, Ben Roy and Iliza Shlesinger. New and returning activities include FUNderwear 5K, Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge, and People and Pets. Showcases and competitions include: Best of the Midwest, National Stand-up Comedy Showcase and Clean Comedy Showcase.

Gilda's LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda's Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged 55,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda's Club Grand Rapids. Visit www.laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda's LaughFest.

Photo: Artwork for The Community Kickoff's official, limited edition t-shirts and buttons.

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