LaughFest 2013 begins, breaks world record | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- A seriously funny event is officially here. The third annual LaughFest kicked off Thursday night in downtown Grand Rapids with another world record.

1,544 people donned fake mustaches at Rosa Parks Circle, shattering the previous record of 648 participants in St. Louis in September 2012.  The record will need to be certified before the record becomes an official Guinness World Record.

In addition to this mustache record, LaughFest also holds two other Guinness World Records. Last year, 607 people performed the chicken dance wearing chicken beaks and other animal noses. In 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed in the air, shattering the previous record of 265 set near Boston, Massachusetts.

LaughFest continues through March 17 with more than 200 free and ticketed shows, including this year's main event with entertainer Wayne Brady. The festival, which benefits Gilda's Club Grand Rapids will also feature Grammy award winning comedian, Lewis Black; Saturday Night Live alum, Jim Breuer; Breaking Bad actor and comedian, Bill Burr; E! network host and actor, Joel McHale; and comedian, Brian Regan.