Guinness World Record Set in Pella

Most People Dancing in Wooden Clogs

01-18-2011

After months of waiting and prodding, on January 13 word came from the Guinness World Record headquarters in England that Pella had indeed set the world record for dancing in wooden shoes or as they reference the record - "dancing in wooden clogs".  On a cold and windy May 8, 2010 a record 2605 people gathered around the Pella city square and danced in wooden shoes for 6 minutes and 15 seconds to the Dutch dance "De Slaapmuts".   The previous record was 475 dancers.  A certificate of recognition will arrive soon from Guinness and during Tulip Time 2011, (May 5, 6, & 7) a presentation will be programmed into the Tulip Time Festivities.

A thirty five minute documentary film of the event, made by local film maker Jacob Rosdail, was shown at the Opera House on Sunday, January 16 to a crowd of 159 people and will be shown again sometime in the Spring.  A DVD of the documentary is available at the Pella Historical/Interpretive Center gift shop for $15.  Guinness is also offering a personalized certificate to participants for approximately $30.  If interested in the certificate, please contact Bonnie Verburg in the Interpretive Center, (641) 620-9463, pellamill@iowatelecom.net. The aerial photo of the Dutch Dance is still available by contacting Bonnie. Several XL and XXL t-shirts remain, clearance priced at $4 each or 3/$10.   There is the possibility that IPTV will run the documentary if they receive enough requests from the public.  Contact IPTV at: 515 242-5424 or webcomm3@iptv.org

Members of the committee who planned the dance event were Sallie DeReus, chair, Sue Youngman, Amy Van Haaften, Davis and Eunice Folkerts, Mike Olson, Lowell Olivier and Hank Vande Kieft.  Assisting the committee was Bonnie Verburg, Director of the Vermeer Windmill.