From Mike Janela in Chicago
Whether they like to admit it or not, everybody has a little Ferris Bueller in them - the urge to kick back, get away, and take it easy once in a while. Because, as Ferris said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
This carefree attitude helped make "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" a movie smash upon its release in 1986 and a cherished classic in the years after.
So beloved, in fact, that the deal-a-day organization Groupon was able to get a crowd of more than 9,000 to an outdoor screening of the film at Chicago's historic Wrigley Field in celebration of the movie's 25 th anniversary. If you recall, Chicago is where Ferris and his friends enjoyed the best day of their lives in the film.
As part of the festivities, a smaller contingent within the general audience was tasked with attempting a Guinness World Records feat for the "most people singing in a round." For those of you unfamiliar, singing in a round is when two or more groups sing the same song but begin at different times, leading to a harmonious discord made famous in many renditions of nursery rhymes like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
Groupon decided to have its chosen record attempters sing "Danke Schoen," one of Ferris Bueller's favorite songs and made famous during the legendary parade scene from the movie, seen here:
In the end, a total of 897 participants crooned in the round about how they recall Central Park in fall before settling in to enjoy the film screening. Among the witnesses helping assist me with verifying the musical quality was Jimmy Chamberlain, Chicago local and former drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins, who couldn't help but suppress a smile as the crowds sang in unison.
Having already successfully organized a record-breaking attempt for the largest speed dating event in Chicago earlier this year, Groupon proved its record-worthy mettle in securing a second GWR certificate for the Windy City.
And that's something even Ferris Bueller would pay attention to.
