Macon attempts Guinness World Record for largest kazoo ensemble

According to Visit Macon, the current record is 5,190 participants, set in London in 2011.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Hundreds gathered Friday at the Atrium Health Amphitheater with kazoos in hand to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest kazoo ensemble.

According to Visit Macon, the current record is 5,190 participants, set in London in 2011. Admission was originally $5, free for children, and later made free for everyone if they said “Thanks Lester” at the gate.

“Whenever you are breaking records, just show up because it’s definitely worth it,” said Hanzalah Tarid, a student at Middle Georgia State University.

Various guests took the stage, entertaining the crowd as they practiced for the attempt. Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller also joined the fun, bringing a cannon on stage to launch shirts into the crowd. Kazoo expert Rick Hubbard led the official attempt around 6:45 p.m., with music from Macon’s musical greats, such as Otis Redding, playing in the background.

While the record wasn’t broken, Michael Empric, adjudicator for Guinness World Records in New York, who has overseen thousands of record attempts, said it’s all about sharing the moment as a community.

“Over 5,000 people is really a challenge — to get people out in the States to one event,” Empric said.

“I mean, if nothing else, trying to do a Guinness World Records title attempt is about coming together as a community, right? Trying to be something bigger than yourself and really sharing that moment, whether or not you’re successful,” Empric said.

According to Visit Macon, all proceeds from the attempt will benefit the Otis Redding Foundation and the Otis Redding Center for the Arts.