Giving it Wally

WHEN it comes to breaking world records, 2,563 people — and animals — in Cork proved that where there’s a wally, there is a way.

Despite the type of weather that would normally call for sensible coats rather than distinctive red and white jumpers and novelty hats, hardy two- and four-legged souls determinedly headed for the city’s Fitzgerald Park to join with all the others who were trying to break world records as part of the Street Performance World Championships.

The task for the Wallys — all dressed like the children’s favourite cartoon character from Where’s Wally — was a big one.

In April 2009, 1,052 students, alumni and members of the public at Rutgers University in New Jersey in the US captured the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Waldo (the American version of the children’s character).

However, more than two years later the organisers of the record attempt here could see a steely look through the rimmed glasses of the Cork contingent and when the total was established it was clear that they had won the day.

“We got more than double what we needed to beat the world record,” a spokeswoman said.

“There were plenty of kids, not so many older people, but loads of dogs dressed as ‘Wallys’. There were also loads of entire families who dressed up. It was the most surreal experience to see that many people dressed as Wallys in one place at the same time.”

The weather might not have been great for the first half of yesterday but when the time came for the record count and for the all-important photograph to be taken, the red and white outfitted masses were bathed in an — albeit watery — sunny glow.

That high resolution photograph will be posted online at www.spwc.ie and on the Street Performance World Championship Facebook page and people will be able zoom into the masses, identify themselves and tag their name there.

The pressure is now on Dublin to see if it can meet the Wally challenge laid down by their southern countrymen.

Next weekend the capital’s Wallys will try to match the target — though the Cork people may be confident — after all for them dressing in red and white does come naturally...