Charleston Challenge New Guinness World Record

Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge

The Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge smashed its own Guinness World Record for the largest Charleston dance on the planet on Saturday 1 February.

More than 300 dancers clad in 1920s-era garb gathered in Leura Mall in the Blue Mountains to perform the Charleston, a dance deemed a little bit naughty in the age of flappers and gangsters.

Last year the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge set a new Guinness World Record with 276 dancers. This year, the target was 300. 319 people registered to take part in the official record attempt, including NSW Member for Blue Mountains Roza Sage, Macquarie Federal MP Louise Markus, festival patron and TV presenter Claudia Chan Shaw and festival ambassador and owner of the Darnell Collection of International Vintage Couture, Charlotte Smith.

Money raised on the day is being donated to the Rural Fire Service.

While the record attempt must now be officially verified by Guinness World Records in England, organisers are “quietly confident” it will be confirmed. If not, the title will still be retained from last year.

The annual public dance challenge officially kicked off the Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) Roaring 20s Festival and all that Jazz!, being held at various venues throughout the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region until 23 February.

Events include the Highlands, Steam & Vintage Fair at Oberon, Glamour & Gowns Ball at Lithgow, Grand Afternoon Tea at The Paragon, and 1920s Ragtime and Radio Plays at the Mountain Heritage Hotel.

Visit www.roaring20s.com.au for information about events or details about accommodation packages during the festival.