Hawkeye fans set Hokey Pokey record
What does a world record look like?
It looks like a sea of black and gold; 7,384 men, women and children putting their right hand in, their right hand out and Hokey Pokeying their way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Unlike the Hawkeyes — who like to keep things close — Hawkeye fans shattered the world record by a wide margin.
See photos from the record-breaking Hokey Pokey at FryFest 2010…
And it feels like a weight being lifted off the shoulders of one of the driving forces behind FryFest and the world record attempt, Josh Schamberger, director of the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Before the official count of 7,384 Hokey Pokey participants was announced, but after it appeared the record was well in hand, Schamberger said the anxiety he felt about the event had turned into relief. The total was well above the first and only record of 4,431.
“No more sleepless nights thinking about Hayden,” he said.
The record-breaking dance was the highlight of FryFest, a celebration of revered former University of Iowa football coach Hayden Fry. This was the second year of the event. The idea of setting the world record for the Hokey Pokey – first set in Toronto in 2003 – came from Cedar Rapids resident Sara Beck, a lifelong Hawkeye fan.
The Hokey Pokey was known to be a victory dance for Fry’s football teams during his storied tenure at UI. Fry told the crowd, however, the dance only came after underdog victories.
Friday night’s victory, however, seemed to be a sure thing right from the start. That didn’t stop Fry from reveling in the moment with the thousands of fans on hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we just won another one,” Fry said. “Congratulations, you are now members of the Hokey Pokey team.”
For the record to be official, according to Guinness Judge Amanda Mochan, all of the participants had to dance for five minutes straight, or two times through the whole song. Witnesses were deployed throughout the crowds to watch for people not dancing and deduct them from the total.
Dennis and Becky Hamann, of Williamsburg, celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary by joining the record books and taking in some Three Dog Night, FryFest’s main live act, afterward.
“It’s always fun to go to an Iowa event,” Becky Hamann said. “It’s so lively…It’s one more way to get some goofy Hawkeye fans together.”
The Penistens – Bill, 28; Ted, 22; and Betsy, 20 – said they came out to the Coralville Marriott and Conference center to “celebrate what it means to be a Hawkeye,” according to Bill Penisten.
Ted Penisten said he had to look up the Hokey Pokey on YouTube to make sure he knew the dance. He said he felt confident he had all the moves down.
“I’m finally getting into the history books,” he said.
Brian Fox, 26, of Iowa City, said he was excited to be a part of the record-breaking dance.
“It’s great to be part of a great Hawkeye tradition,” he said.
Grant Davis, 26, of North Liberty agreed.
“Winning the Guinness Book world record is hopefully a sign of good things to come for the season,” he said.
And that’s what it’s all about.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
