Weather forces cancellation of one Guinness world record attempt

Students in Boiler Gold Rush will still attempt to break record for train whistles in Mackey Arena 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Due to expected inclement weather on Wednesday (Aug. 15), Boiler Gold Rush leaders have canceled one scheduled attempt at a Guinness world record, while changing locations for the other scheduled attempt.

An attempt to break the record for largest human letter was scheduled for about 1:15 p.m. in Ross-Ade Stadium. That has been called off because there are no indoor venues large enough. Around 7,200 students were expected to form the block “P” for Purdue’s iconic letter.

An attempt to break the record for most train whistles blowing at the same time will still occur. However, it will take place at 4 p.m. in Mackey Arena. It also had been scheduled to take place in Ross-Ade.

Spectators can watch the train whistle attempt by entering Mackey Arena’s east entrance, located off Northwestern Avenue. Once inside, spectators may sit in Section 105. Free parking is available during the event in the parking lot just north of Ross-Ade Stadium.

The current train whistle record is 1,569 participants, held by the Village of Bartlett, Illinois.

Also, chemical engineering professor Vilas Pol will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for quickest assembly of the periodic table. His attempt will occur at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 15) in the Henson Atrium of the Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering.  

Writer: Brian Peloza, 765-496-9711, bpeloza@purdue.edu 

Source: Andrea Mattingly, Communications Director, Office of Student Success, 765-496-3754, andrea@purdue.edu