The goal is 5,000 one-handed, high-speed, over-the-head, palm-to-palm collisions.
STRIVE members and staffers hope that 5,000 high-fives at Friday’s Portland Sea Dogs game will earn the organization a Guinness world record for Most Simultaneous High-Fives.
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STRIVE, which stands for Socialization Transition Reflection Innovation Vocation Education, provides programs for teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Midway through the third inning Friday, team mascot Slugger the Sea Dog will illustrate the correct high-fiving technique in preparation for a five-second window when an aerial photographer will circle overhead to record attendees taking part in the world record attempt.
“Everybody is really excited,” said program director Peter Brown, adding that STRIVE unsuccessfully tried to break the world record for Most Cars Washed in Eight Hours in 2002.
More than 10 years later, STRIVE staffers settled on the high-five attempt as a fun way to get the teens and young adults involved as well as raise money and awareness for the organization.
STRIVE is fund raising through the attempt, partnering with The Sea Dogs to sell general admission tickets and keeping $3 of the profit from each ticket. The money raised will go into STRIVE’s general operations, funding programs and events, Brown said.
When asked how it would feel to see STRIVE hold a world record, STRIVE member Sophie Jacobs broke into a big smile.
“Good!” the 20-year-old said, adding that she has been practicing the correct high-five. Jacobs is part of the STRIVE U program for young adults that focuses on developing life skills.
The current world record for the Most Simultaneous High-Fives was set at 4,699 high-fives by The Kroger Co. in April.
STRIVE will receive donated photography services from Great Moose Aerial Art and time-stamped video recording from No Umbrella Media at the game to provide Guinness World Records with proof. Then, verification of the record can take anywhere from two to three months, according to Guinness World Records spokeswoman Sarah Wilcox.
The Sea Dogs game starts at 7 p.m. Friday.
Karen Antonacci can be contacted at 791-6377 or at:
kantonacci@pressherald.com
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