Attempt to break record falls short

About 350 people tried to break the bunny-hopping world record, which, sadly, still stands at 1,230.

By: Lea Kahn

About 350 people attmpt to break the bunny-hopping world record at Community Day at Village Park. Staff photo by Lea Kahn

   Sunday afternoon’s attempt to break the Guinness World Book
of Records for the largest group to do the bunny hop fell short by about 850 hoppers.
   But the 12 minutes of hopping might be enough to break the record
for the longest time a group has done the bunny hop, said Betty Leedom of the
Recreation Department.
   The aim of breaking the Guinness World Book of Records was the
highlight of the ninth annual Community Day. The record is 1,200 people, and 3
minutes of hopping.
   The failure to set the record didn’t seem to matter to the 350
people who hop-hop-hopped around the basketball court at Village Park and were
led by chief bunny-hopper JoAnn Groeger, who teaches physical education at Lawrenceville
Elementary School.
   A photographer captured the bunny-hoppers on film, and the township
submitted it to the Guinness World Book of Records, Mrs. Leedom said, adding "maybe
we hopped for the longest time."
   Despite the windy and chilly conditions, about 3,000 people
wandered through Village Park during the afternoon to see what Lawrence Township
has to offer, said Recreation Superintendent Steve Groeger.
   The Lawrence Historical Society, the Veterans Memorial Committee,
the League of Women Voters, WomanSpace, the Greenway Committee and various religious
groups set up information booths at the event.
   The three volunteer fire companies and the First Aid and Rescue
Squad brought some of their equipment to show to the community. Also, the Police
Department set up a booth and took fingerprints of children.
   There were long lines of children waiting to ride the three
ponies at the pony ride, and there were lines to take a ride in the Slackwood
Fire Co.’s snorkel truck and the Lawrenceville Fire Co.’s ladder tower truck.
   The Lawrence Community Band played for the visitors. First Class
Act, a popular music band complete with drums and electric guitars, also played.
   Although Community Day is geared toward Lawrence residents,
some of the visitors came from as far away as neighboring Ewing Township.
   The Stradling family of Ewing Township spent the afternoon at
Community Day. Barbara Stradling said she saw a banner promoting the event, and
decided to bring her family.
   "This is our first time here," she said. "It’s fun, it’s enjoyable
and it’s good for kids."