Groucho’s Deli, a local sandwich franchise, has teamed up with Statesville High School in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses.” By sharing a namesake with Marx, Groucho’s Deli hopes the record breaking attempt is a fun kick-off event for the 2010 Pumpkin Fest. Held on November 5, 2010, Groucho’s Deli will pass out 5,500 Groucho Marx masks to attendees of the Statesville High School football game against rival high school, West Iredell. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
“We are excited to be a part of Guinness World Record History,” said Groucho’s Deli owner Brandon Sutton. “This event is the perfect way to kick-off the local Pumpkin Festival and encourage community participation.”
Statesville High School Athletic Director Randall Gusler shares the excitement, “I feel this is a great thing for the city of Statesville and what better way than to rally around high school football.”
Groucho Marx even plays a bit of a role in the restaurant’s history. According to the Groucho’s Deli website, restaurant founder Harold “Groucho” Miller had a mustache, was always joking around and often had a big cigar in his mouth. Miller’s son Ivan told the Columbia Record in 1986, “He looked like Groucho Marx, he talked like Groucho Marx, and to Columbia, he was Groucho Marx. So that is how the name came about.”
The masks will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis to attendees. The record attempt will be held at half-time, and participants will have to wear the masks for 10 minutes. The event will be documented with still photographs and video footage, and official counters will be placed at every entrance to ensure a certified headcount of participants. Tickets can be purchased at the Statesville High School ticket booth the day of the game for $6.
Additional information can be found at the event’s Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/c7Y40U.