Breaking world records a favorite Mexican past time
Just another world record: paying tribute to the King of Pop in Mexico City.
Recently, we mentioned the record-breaking insult to Jalisco state Governor Emilio González, that happened in Guadalajara, Mexico. While technically that insult is still in the process of becoming a record, let’s take a look at all the other world records that Mexicans hold. Soon enough, there will be enough for an entire Mexican edition of the Guinness Book of World Records!
1. Largest Thriller flash mob
In honor of what would have been the Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday, fans in Mexico City gathered, some dressed as the late superstar, to set a world record of the most people to dance to “Thriller” simultaneously. It took 13,597 to set the record on August 29, 2009, the Huffington Post reported.
2. Most people kissing
It may not be the city of love, but that doesn’t mean that Mexico City does not have passion. On February 14, 2009, 39,897 couples gathered in Plaza de la Constitución for the record of most people kissing simultaneously. According to the Official Guinness World Records site, participants enjoyed a concert by Vicente Fernandez after the big smooch.
3. Biggest Zombie Walk
Who doesn’t love zombies? Nearly 10,000 people dressed up as zombies and walked in Mexico City in November of 2011. Although the Guinness World Record is held by Asbury Park in the US with a walk that included 4,093 zombies marching in 2010, Mexico City gave Asbury a run for their money with their own walk, reported the BBC.
4. Largest Mexican Folk Dance
In Guadalajara, the record for the most Mexican folk dancers was set in September of 2011. That’s right folks, 457 dancers showed up in full traditional costume complete with sombreros, color ribbons and full skirts, to dance to songs like “Guadalajara”, “El Jarabe Tapatio,” and “El Son de la Negra,” reported the Guinness World Records site.
5. Largest Shrimp cocktail
(Photo: guinnessworldrecord.com)
Don’t mess with Mazatlan, the state of Sinaloa’s self-appointed “Shrimp Capital.” In September of 2011, the Guinness World Records reported the largest shrimp cocktail was created by Tres Islas, the city’s hotel association.
According to the Guinness World Records, the shrimp cocktail weighed 538.5 kg (1187.2 lbs.) It took a total of 9 months to plan and six hours to prepare and cook the massive amounts of shrimp.
6. Largest Naked Photo Shoot
(Photo: flickr.com/photos/photos_clinker)
Imagine this space filled with thousands of naked bodies.
Believe it or not, it happened! In Mexico City, 18,000 people gathered for Spencer Tunick’s naked photo shoot in Zocalo Square. The bare-all event happened on May 6, 2007, NPR reported. While Spencer Tunick’s collection of naked masses happened in cities all over the world, it is no surprise that Mexico City would be among those cities to hold such a grand endeavor.
7. Largest Salsa Dance
In the city of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, 1686 dancers gathered to create the largest salsa dance. On March 24, 2012 ITESCO students organized the dance, which consisted of 281 lines of six people dancing their way through the streets of Coatzacoalcos. Gloria Estafans “WEPA” played for the 3 kilometers and 5 minutes that it took for the dancers to break the record, the Guinness World Records confirmed.
8. Largest Zumba Class
It’s official Mexico holds the record for the largest Zumba class. The Guinness World Records officially announced that on September 7, 2011 in San Luis Rio Colorado, in the state of Sonora, the biggest-ever Zumba class was held.
The record stands at 3,869 participants getting their Zumba on. While the dance originated in Colombia, according to Livestrong.com, it was the Mexican people who made a fitness record out of it.
9. Biggest cup of hot chocolate
(Photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Becher_Kakao_mit_Sahnehäubchen )
The cup was definitely bigger than this.
The largest cup of hot chocolate was made of 2,400 liters (528.93 gal, 634.01 US gal) of Chocolate Abuelita. The record was set on November 14, 2010 in Coyoacán, Mexico City. It was part of the 70th Anniversary of Nestle’s Chocolate Abuelita, confirmed the Guinness World Records site.
10. Largest Tequila tasting event
Thirsty, anyone? In the birth country of tequila, 341 participants had a tasting of blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila. The tasting happened at the Hacienda Corralejo in Pénjamo, Guanajato, Mexico, on 26 June 2010, per the Guinness World Records site.
