How Last Fling may set a world record

The contests and races at Naperville's Last Fling festival this year will be more competitive than ever.

After all, what's more intense than trying to break a world record?

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, the Naperville Jaycees are going to attempt to beat the world record for most people performing a burpee at the same time. The record stands at 515 people, meaning organizers need at least 516 to squat, put their hands down, jump their legs out behind them then back in and up to standing, special events coordinator Lauren McLaughlin said.

Does she think they can do it?

"I hope so," McLaughlin said.

The key to success, she says, is getting the word out about the record attempt so as many people as possible can participate. Organizers have teamed up with area gyms.

"With them, we could easily achieve the record," McLaughlin said.

Those who want to be part of the potential world record should register starting an hour before the attempt at Rotary Hill. When the time comes, one person will demonstrate a burpee on the Main Stage, then lead the crowd in doing one together.

McLaughlin came up with the idea to satisfy a childhood curiosity.

"I always thought it would be really neat as a kid," she said. "What if we can get a world record in something?"

The burpees themselves were chosen out of other exercises such as jumping jacks and situps because they are more accessible to both kids and adults. "Jumping jacks were harder than I thought," McLaughlin admitted.

Karen Coleman, executive director of Last Fling, said they wanted people to have a healthier mindset at this year's festival.

"We're doing something athletic in multiple ways, instead of just corn dogs and funnel cakes," she said.

Every year, organizers try to shake things up by figuring out what events are working and what they could change.

"We pare them out so the special events can be really, truly, special," Mclaughlin said.

Organizers are adding Knockerball on both Saturday and Sunday. For this competition, which Mclaughlin calls "kind of like soccer," participants get into a transparent ball and try to knock each other over.

"It's the hottest new thing," McLaughlin said.

One game will be $5, three is $10, and for those who don't want to stop ramming into each other, unlimited games are $20.

"Kids love it," McLaughlin said. "They're super excited."

Kids also are excited for an Alphabet Photo Hunt, in which they will go out and use a smartphone or camera to take pictures of different items, and a water balloon dodge.

Beyond the games, the dunk tank and the dessert and rib cook-offs, Last Fling offers contests for those who like to eat. A lot. All at once.

Whether you can eat a lot of ice cream or spaghetti or cupcakes, you can test the volume of your stomach in eating contests on Sunday. Eat cupcakes at 12:30 p.m., ice cream at 2 p.m. and spaghetti at 3 p.m. in the Family Fun Land area at Naper Settlement, but be sure to register before the contest.

"The biggest one that everybody loves is the cupcake contest," McLaughlin said.

She said they used to have a pie eating contest but cupcakes are more "in" right now.