Itasca hoping to shatter 2009 Subaru world record

Records are meant to be broken. Even really, really obscure ones.

And that’s exactly what Itasca and Subaru officials hope to do Saturday.

The village and Subaru of America Inc. Great Lakes Region, which is based in Itasca, will attempt to break their current Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Subaru cars. In July 2009 Subaru set the record with 339 vehicles parading along a 4.2-mile route through Itasca.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at 500 Park Blvd. and head onto Thorndale Avenue, then west to Prospect, south to Irving Park Road, west to Walnut Street, east on North Street to Arlington Heights Road, north to Thorndale and west back to Park.

Parade organizers are hoping to have as many as 500 Subarus lined up, but as of Wednesday morning only 365 cars were registered.

“It’s just a fun thing that helps put Itasca on the map again and it’s a nice way to fill up a Saturday afternoon of Itasca Fest,” Village President Jeff Pruyn said Wednesday. “It looks like getting 500 may be a challenge but in 2009 we had a high turnout of people who just drove up without registering.”

At 365, they’re already 29 past their current record. Last September, folks in Elk Rapids, Mich., attempted to beat the record when they had 356 vehicles drive in a two-mile parade — but Guinness officials were not on hand to record the event. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on site to observe and confirm Itasca’ record attempt.

Police Chief Scott Heher said the event is an opportunity for police, residents and corporate citizens to team up for a good cause.

The department’s bright red 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which was donated by Subaru, will lead the parade.

“It’s an awesome car. It’s a great vehicle,” Heher said. “We take it to a lot of car shows and car-related events and it’s always very popular.”

The Itasca attempt also is expected to raise $10,000, which will be shared equally between Pets are Worth Saving (PAWS) Chicago, which Subaru routinely supports, and Salute Inc. of Prospect Heights, which helps military personnel and their families.