By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
The Rhode Island Tree Council is attempting to break the world record for the most people simultaneously hugging trees.
John Campanini, RITree Technical Advisor told WPRO’s Gene Valicenti the group is trying to get over one thousand people to show up at Roger Williams Park Saturday afternoon.
“The Guinness World Record is held by South Korea; in 2014 they had 1,201 people show up,” said Campanini “So we need to get 1,202 people show up so Rhode Island can snatch the world record.”
Campanini said the rules are simple; participants have to hold the tree around its circumference for one whole minute, and while more than one person can hug a tree, it has to be large enough so that they are not touching.
In order to qualify for the world record, every participant must register and receive and identification band and be filmed hugging the tree so the tape can be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for verification.
“I think we can do it, Rhode Islanders always rally for a good cause and this is a good cause,” said Campanini.
The event is intended to commemorate Earth Day and Arbor Day.
