High Five Your Neighbor and Break a World Record at Sailfest

Sailfest organizers need you to help them break a Guinness Book world record this Sunday. The Downtown New London Association is calling on locals, visitors and fans of Sailfest to help break the world record of longest line of people performing a high-five.

“We want you and everyone you know to be lined up and ready to high-five your neighbor on Bank Street in downtown New London at 1:45pm on Sunday, July 14,” they wrote in an announcement. “We have a good shot at beating the Guinness World Record, so don't miss your chance to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Believe it or not, there are rules but don't sweat it. All participants must get in a line and high five the person next to them in successive manner, participants may not receive more than one high five or give more than one high five and participants must give a high five within five seconds of receiving one.

The current Guinness World Record for longest high-five chain may have been made on March 13 with 267 people. At least, that's what one entry on the Guinness World Record website says, although its translated horribly from Japanese by Google.

The current record, according to Recordsetter.com is 145 students from John McCrae Secondary School in Ottawa, Ontario. They make it look pretty easy, you can watch handiwork here and take some notes. 

Back in New London, Sailfest organizers are encouraging participants to form company teams and the company or organization that gathers the largest participating group will receive a gift pack that includes:

• Sponsorship on the Sailfest website for one year with link (251,000 hits yearly)
• Gift pack from The Day
• Q105 gift pack
• High 5’s gift certificate

Sailfest begins Friday and lasts through the weekend. The event features a major fireworks display, amusement rides, free entertainment, Tall Ship, and more than 200 vendors lining the downtown streets of New London. Sailfest also showcases multiple stages of free entertainment with musical genres ranging in Rock, Celtic, Hip Hop, and Blues. Kids enjoy free shows at the City Pier stage. 

For more information and a schedule of events visit their website.