If you’re going to have a bake sale, why not try and make it the largest in the world?
The Boardwalk in Waterloo was host to a larger than usual bake sale on August 17 as the Running Rarebits, a community running group, attempted to break the world Guinness record for the largest bake sale.
“I don’t do anything unless it’s 110 per cent,” explained Chris Mintz who was a driving force behind the event. Mintz is part of the Running Rarebits, who routinely raises funds for charities in an effort to give back to the community.
Mintz came up with the idea to attempt to break the world record as a unique way to fund-raise for Kitchener Grand-River Rotary Charities, in which the event raised $13,006.40 for. “After a run you’re low on oxygen and that’s when these crazy ideas come about,” laughed Mintz.
The title of the world’s largest bake sale is currently held in New York City with 13,085 items sold. It was accepted into the Guinness Book of World Records on May 1, 2013. On Saturday, August 17, the Running Rarebits hoped to break this record by selling over 13,500 baked items within a timeframe of eight hours.
At the end of the day, the World’s Biggest Bake Sale was just shy of its goal, with a total of 12,659 baked items sold. They were short by 456 baked treats to claim the world’s record; however, this number earned the title of Canada’s biggest bake sale.
Mintz was in character as “Vince Bertolucci” for the day, an alias that included a fake mustache and an exaggerated Italian accent. Mintz described the character as “someone stuck in the past.” Bertolucci was an act he began last year as part of prior fundraising events put on by the Running Rarebits.
The event was coordinated by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, each of them excited by the prospect of breaking a world record.
“I didn’t know anything about it until I saw the sign [on Ira Needles]. I’m actually looking to open a bakery. So I thought, what a great way to help a great cause and get some exposure,” shared Julie Greguol, one of the volunteers.
Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo, joined the festivities and was enthusiastic about the efforts of the community.
“I think that this is a fantastic community event. Once again it shows the strong community spirit in Kitchener-Waterloo. I wanted to come and show my support for this important effort and to be part of this Guinness Book of record breaking activity,” Braid explained.
He assured The Cord that he would be walking away with baked goods in hand.
One of the charities that the proceeds went to was Kids Ability, a local organization that assists children with physical and developmental disabilities.
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