Signs seen around Canoefest, scene of the world record for largest single serving of fried chicken Friday. Mike Perleberg-Eagle 99.3

(Brookville, Ind.) - More than three-quarters of a ton of chicken was fried up in Brookville Friday.

The gigantic feat - 1,654 pounds to be exact - at Canoefest appears to have set a new Guinness World Record for the largest single serving of fried chicken. A chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Kuwait previously held the world record at more than 1,200 pounds.

Jerry Short, Chairperson of the Canoefest Fryers Club, said he had plenty of help in accomplishing the feat in about three hours at Brookville’s Town Park.

“I know over 100 people came out and volunteered in frying, or help, or some support in some way to make this record happen,” said Short.

The chicken was piled into 110 styrofoam coolers for safe keeping. As the coolers were emptied into a giant canoe at weigh-in time, nerves became rattled.

“When we put about 25 coolers of chicken in there the canoe was half-full. And we were like ‘uh-oh,’” said Short.

Click here to listen to an interview with Jerry Short about the world record.

Luckily, the entire batch eventually fit in the canoe which tipped the scales to the delight of all volunteers.

Giant canoe used for the world record weigh-in at Canoefest Friday. Mike Perleberg-Eagle 99.3

The chicken was later served up as an all-you-can-eat dinner for $10 per person at Canoefest.

“Collectively Southeast Indiana is all about fried chicken. It reflects right here,” said Short. “They came out in droves to help us. They came out here in droves to buy our chicken when it was finished.”

Short said Guinness may not have the record verified for a couple more weeks, but a plaque commemorating the event will be placed in the park.

Right now, there are no plans for Canoefest to break its own record in 2011. However, Short warns that the fryers are ready to defend it.

“I’ll tell you this. The second Kuwait or any other place puts up this attempt and breaks our record there will be headlines in newspapers here and they will read ‘Canoefest Fryers Club declares war on Kuwait’ – Chicken war.”

LINKS:

Chicken Frying World Record Could Be Set In SEI - http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=505