Solar Eclipse 2024: Niagara Falls Sets Guinness World Record For Gathering 309 People Dressed As The Sun, Beats China

Three hundred and nine people gathered on a Niagara Falls cruise ship on Monday to break the record for a gathering of people dressed as the sun. The group set a new world record for a gathering of people dressed as the sun during the total solar eclipse that millions of people across the US, Canada and Mexico witnessed.

“As a reminder, the number to beat was 287 that was set by China Life Insurance Company Limited in China on December 20, 2020. I can tell the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, drumroll, drumroll, that you have 309 people. And I could say that the City of Niagara Falls, you are the new Guinness World Record,” Guinness World Record adjudicator Mike Marcotte was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The record for the highest number of people dressed as the sun was held by 287 participants of China Life Insurance Company Limited in Guangzhou, China and was originally set in 2020.

The record was set to coincide with the first total solar eclipse to grace North America in seven years that drew millions of skywatchers gazing upward for the start of a celestial display at least partially visible, across most of the continent.

Dressed in red raincoats and big yellow suns, hundreds of people gathered together on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and witnessed the solar eclipse.

A sign with the words written ‘GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS OFFICIAL ATTEMPT’ greeted the women and men who were present at the event. A report by Reuters said participants were gleefully wearing sun costumes and raincoats.

“We came on vacation to watch the solar eclipse and do the Guinness book of World Records. I hope it (the weather) clears up, but I think it will still be cool even if it doesn’t clear up,” Kendal Kern, who drove from Rapid City, South Dakota was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Once the new record was announced, people were seen dancing and jumping around as they celebrated the milestone.