UMaine Students Attempt to Break World Record as Part of International Dance Event
Contact: Aimee Dolloff, (207) 581-3777; Gustavo Burkett, (207) 581-4183
ORONO, Maine — University of Maine students and staff are going to be thrilled if they’re able to help break a Guinness Book World Record with a little help from Michael Jackson and a flashback to 1983.
Just before Christmas in the year of the Cabbage Patch Doll and Pac-Man breakfast cereal, MTV released the music video for Jackson’s hit “Thriller.” The song and dance became an instant craze and have been around ever since.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, UMaine will participate in Thrill the World, an international event that tries each year to break the record for largest simultaneous dance by having people worldwide dance to “Thriller.”
The current simultaneous dance record is believed to have been set in 2002 when 197,569 elementary school students danced the Hokey-Pokey in 681 locations across Canada, according to the Thrill the World website.
Information about Thrill the World’s history, choreography for the dance, and more about the “Thriller” phenomenon is available at www.thrilltheworld.com.
Students at UMaine have held several rehearsals to prepare for the event and members of the media are invited to attend Saturday’s record-breaking attempt at UMaine’s Student Recreation and Fitness Center.
The event was organized by Gustavo Burkett, director of UMaine’s Campus Activities and Student Engagement.
Those interested in participating are requested to arrive early in order to register and fill out the paperwork required to be eligible to break the world record.
“We need to give record of who the participants are,” Burkett said.
Those no cost to participate, but Burkett said monetary or non-perishable food donations will be accepted and taken to Crossroads Ministries Resource Center in Old Town, which is in need of donations. The first 200 students to register will receive a free T-shirt.
“Makeup and costumes aren’t required but are encouraged,” Burkett said. “We’re going to be thrilled to see everyone there.”