Where's Wally?

In 1987, Martin Handford published the book Where's Wally? (known as Where's Waldo? in the US and Canada), launching one of the most recognized characters of our generation.  Since that time, Waldo's appearances have reached beyond the pages of Handford's books and into popular culture.  According to Wikipedia (sorry but there are literally no scholarly sources I could cite for Where's Waldo? references in pop culture) the stripe-sporting icon has appeared on such television shows as Married With Children, Frasier, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Robot Chicken, in addition to featuring in various video games, a comic strip, and appearing on Quaker Life Cereal boxes.  However, it wasn't until 2009 that the trend of dressing as Waldo became part of his legacy.

Over the past few years, groups have gathered in an attempt to hold the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people dressed as the pop-culture icon in one place.  It began in April of 2009 where 1,052 Waldos gathered at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  Although several attempts had been made to surpass the number, the record stood until June 12 of this year, when 2,563 Wallys gathered in Fitzgerald's Park in Cork, Ireland.

While visiting Cork with my husband's family, we witnessed several Wallys wandering around the area.  The next day, I read in the paper that the record had been broken.  I found the idea of people dressing up like Wally for a world record intriguing, and when I heard that Dublin was going to make an attempt of its own, I decided I couldn't miss such a bizarre and unique opportunity.

Thus, this morning found me at Merrion Square Park in Dublin inquiring about the price of a Wally costume.  I was informed that all the proceeds were going to "Africa Aware," an Irish-based charity that was created in 1990 to provide HIV/AIDS education for the people of Phalombe, Malawi.  The organization has since expanded to help provide drinking wells, agricultural education, and develop employment opportunities for the people of Phalombe.  In addition, the group provides orphan sponsorship for local children.  A fundraiser for such a good cause, coupled with the potential for breaking a world record was enough to convince me that dressing like a cartoon character for a few hours this afternoon was a fantastic idea.

One of park's adjoining streets was blocked off, and only those wearing the Wally costume were allowed to enter the designated area.  Organizers encouraged attendance by publicizing that a high-resolution camera would take a photo of the thousands of Wallys that would be put online.  Participants could then zoom in on the photo and find themselves in a real-life version of Where's Wally?

Despite a little rain, 3,657 Wallys participated in the photo, making Dublin the newest Guinness World Record holder.  Speakers blared Queen's "We are the Champions" as Wallys of all ages cheered and danced.  Strangers hugged and high fived each other, and everybody was smiling.  As a final celebration, everyone "graduated" as the new record holders by throwing their caps in the air.  It was a great feeling, and as ridiculous as the whole thing was, it is one of my favorite memories in Ireland.

We did it!