Guadalajara breaks world record for folk dance

As part of the International Mariachi Festival 2011, dancers in Guadalajara set the Guinness record for the or the largest folk dance performance in the world last week.

A total of 457 Tapatios sealed their place in the Guinness Book of Records by dancing for 10 minutes in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, to typical Mexican songs like Guadalajara, El Jarabe Tapatia and El Son de la Negra.

Guinness representative Mike Janela was on hand to confirm the number of dancers that packed the Plaza Liberacion.

The colorfully dressed dancers performed to music played live by over 300 mariachis from Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States, who were in town for Guadalajara’s famous international festival.

“It’s the best way for the world to get to know our traditions - mariachi music, tequila and our folklore,” said Miguel Alfaro, president of the city’s chamber of commerce and organizer of the event.

Guadalajara’s next world record attempt might prove even more popular, as Alfaro announced it will be an effort to record for the greatest number of people simultaneously drinking tequila.