Grand Rapids tries fake mustache record

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Gilda's LaughFest is organizing an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing false mustaches.

The record attempt will take place March 7 at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

Participants will begin to line up at 5:30 p.m. and given an official LaughFest fake mustache. Practice and preliminary instructions will be at 6:15 p.m., and the attempt will be at 6:30 p.m.

The current largest gathering of people wearing false moustaches was achieved by 648 people at an event organized by the St. Louis Rams in September 2012.

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Watch the video above as "24 Hour News 8 Daybreak" performs the record for the most news employees on a morning news show wearing fake mustaches at the same time on live TV.

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For LaughFest 2012, 607 people performed The Chicken Dance and set the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people wearing animal noses (specifically chicken beaks) at a single venue.

For LaughFest 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed in downtown Grand Rapids, shattering the previous record of 265 set near Boston.

The mustache event kicks off LaughFest 2013 -- a fundraiser March 7 to 17 to support Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, which offers free cancer, grief and emotional health programs for family members.

Other opening events include LaughFest chicken dinners at several area restaurants and bars, 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 Grand Rapids. 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/

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, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Opening night preview comedy shows will be held at various locations at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. LaughFest comics will provide a sneak peek 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 the start time. Artists participating include Jackie Kashian, Pete Lee, Cash Levy, Jamie Lissow, Mark Normand, Andy Ptz, Erik Rivera, Bengt Washburn, Stu McCallister, Ben Wilke, Adam Degi, Adam Trieu, Matt Lauria, Brian Borbot, Henry Sapp, DK Hamilton and David Dyer. The Opening Night Preview shows will be held at Dr. Grin's at The BOB (20 Monroe Ave.), McFaddden's Restaurant & Saloon (58 Ionia Ave.), and The Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave.).

LaughFest 2013 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows, featuring these headliners -- Wayne Brady, Lewis Black, Jim Breuer and Brian Regan, among others.

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