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Elmo will lead in Guiness World Record for the largest Hokey-Pokey

Event will be held in Toronto on August 25th

Courtesy of Sesame Workshop
August 6, 2003

It’s a kid favorite. It’s a party favorite. And now it’s Elmo’s favorite. He’s just learned a new dance and he wants to share it with Canada. Sesame Street’s own furry, red 3-year-old monster Elmo and award-winning puppeteer Kevin Clash, are coming to Toronto to help set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Hokey-Pokey Song & Dance Routine at the upcoming Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). Thousands of fans are expected to “shake it all about” with Elmo at the CNE Bandshell stage at 1 p.m., on Monday, August 25th.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 125 years of family fun and entertainment than to establish a Guinness World Record with Elmo and our young guests,” said CNE General Manager David Bednar. “Everybody knows the Hokey-Pokey. Everybody loves Elmo. And everyone loves going to the CNE.”

The Hokey-Pokey has been a popular, all ages party dance since the early 1940’s. This will be the first Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Song & Dance Routine at a single venue. A previous record for the Largest “Simultaneous” Song and Dance was organized by the North London Performing Arts Centre in London, UK. A total of 7,596 children from 40 schools simultaneously danced and sang to the song “To The Show” for five minutes from 10:00 a.m. on 22 March 2002.

Elmo can be seen weekdays on Sesame Street on PBS KIDS and Elmo’s World, on the Family Channel.

Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. These are among many Workshop endeavors recognized for their deep understanding of children's developmental needs and the most effective ways to address them. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world.

Established in 1879, the CNE is one of North America’s largest annual fairs and a valuable Ontario attraction. The EX attracts more than $35 million to Toronto in direct spending each year. The CNE welcomed approximately 1.5 million visitors in 2002. A visit to The Ex is fun and affordable with general admission $10, while patrons 60 and over and children 13 and under pay $7. For more information, visit the CNE website at www.TheEx.com or call 416-263-3800. Let’s go to The Ex!