The gingerbread man has symbolized Smithville’s Annual Festival of Lights celebration for many years, but in 2005 one of the event organizers had an idea of how to bring our beloved symbol its “just desserts”! Why not bake a huge gingerbread cookie – in fact, the world’s biggest – to show the world that Smithville thinks big!
So after a year of experimenting with recipes, calculating the outdoor baking conditions, creating a giant cookie sheet, and gathering the needed sponsorships and ingredient donations, the gingerbread man became a reality on December 2, 2006, at the 16th annual Festival of Lights celebration. He weighed 1,308 lbs, 8 oz and measured 20 feet from head-to-toe. He consisted of 750 lbs of flour, 49 gallons of molasses, and 72 dozen eggs (separated!). He was baked over a dump truck load of charcoal before being raised by crane to an angle of 65 degrees in order to qualify for the Guinness World Record.
The staff at Guinness officially recognized the feat in 2008, and included Smithville’s accomplishment in its 2009 edition (pg. 124). In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to create the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record. The monument was dedicated on December 6, 2008 at the 18th annual Festival of Lights celebration.
At the 2009 Festival of Lights event, attendees voted to name our giant friend “Smitty”, and a sign was mounted next to him to introduce him to all visitors. Also in 2009, our World Record was broken by the IKEA Corporation in Norway, but we are still fairly content that the largest gingerbread man in the USA resides in Smithville. Ever since his 2008 dedication, our gingerbread man has adapted seasonally by sporting magnetic accessories that reflect holiday themes throughout the year.
Pictured above left, Smitty was so large and heavy, we needed a crane to bake him in our outdoor grille. No worries, the city officials and fire department were on hand. Pictured above right, he is outfitted for Valentine’s Day, although the sentiment written on the heart is always true!
Want to post your picture with Smitty?Just click on the QR code with your cell phone to go to the facebook page and post away. Don't forget to tag everyone in the photo!
No cell phone? Just go toFacebookand post your photo.
a book, published every year, which gives all the records achieved in a very wide range of fields and activities. For example, the names of the oldest, tallest, richest and fastest people in the world are all given.
Addressing a widespread myth, many believe that setting or breaking a Guinness World Record comes with a monetary reward. However, the reality is different; there is no financial compensation for those who achieve these outstanding milestones. But don't let this deter you from chasing your record-setting aspirations.
The tallest man in history is Robert Pershing Wadlow from USA, who was measured at a whopping 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) of height in 1940. He needed to eat 8,000 calories daily, which is more than 3 times the recommended amount for an adult man. In the last 83 years, no one has ever beaten Robert…
Ashrita Furman (born Keith Furman, September 16, 1954) in the Cook Islands is a Guinness World Records record-breaker. As of 2017, Furman has set more than 600 official Guinness Records and currently holds over 200 records, thus holding the Guinness world record for the most Guinness world records.
If you are successful, congratulations - you will receive an official Guinness World Records certificate (further certificates and merchandise can be purchased in the GWR Store). If not, do not give up, you can apply again or pick a different record to attempt.
WL – world leading (the best mark achieved worldwide within a given season) EL – European leading (Europe leading) (the best mark achieved throughout Europe within a given season)
The Guinness World Records began with a wounded ego.
In 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, Guinness Brewery's managing director, was hunting in Ireland when he kept failing to shoot down a golden plover. To save face, he said it must be the fastest game bird in Europe.
The shortest man living is Afshin Ghaderzadeh of Iran, according to Guinness Word Records. He stands 2 feet 1.6 inches tall. He was born on July 13, 2002. He took over the title from the previous record-holder Edward Niño Hernandez of Colombia in Dec.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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The gingerbread man has symbolized Smithville’s Annual Festival of Lights celebration for many years, but in 2005 one of the event organizers had an idea of how to bring our beloved symbol its “just desserts”! Why not bake a huge gingerbread cookie – in fact, the world’s biggest – to show the world that Smithville thinks big!
The staff at Guinness officially recognized the feat in 2008, and included Smithville’s accomplishment in its 2009 edition (pg. 124). In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to create the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record. The monument was dedicated on December 6, 2008 at the 18th annual Festival of Lights celebration.
Want to post your picture with Smitty?Just click on the QR code with your cell phone to go to the facebook page and post away. Don't forget to tag everyone in the photo!