Creating A World Record, One Gnome At A Time

This year, there'll be no Smurfing around.

The Gnomes shall not be denied a third time in the attempt for the world record.

Since 2007, the Gnomes have marched in the Inman Park Festival Parade.

A favorite of parade watchers, the Gnomes attempted to enter the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest contingent of marching gnomes, in 2010.

There were 108 that first year, but the folks at Guinness said no, Chantelle Rytter, told East Atlanta Patch.

Rytter, who hails from the mystical (and some say magical) lands of Grant Park, is captain of the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, a group she organized in 1999 that is dedicated to building community and opportunities for fun.

Blame Canada for the loss in 2010.

That's right, our neighbors to the north and closest trading partner beat us. (A most trollish outcome.)

Undeterred, Krewe and Yacht Club tried again last year. This time around, they had 239 Gnomes.

Again, Canada came out on top with 279 gnomes of her own.

Now, the British — our best friends — hold the crown with 478 marching gnomes.

So Rytter and her band of funmakers are at it again for this year's Inman Park Festival Parade, scheduled for April 28. She's calling one and all to don red, pointed hats and gardening clothes to march in the parade and break the spell that has kept the title out of American hands these last few years.

And, of course, have some fun.

If you go: The Inman Park Festival Parade is April 28. Those wishing to march with the Gnomes should line up at Krog Street and Edgewood Avenue at 1 p.m. All that's need is for participants to wear a red pointed hat, gardening clothes to march in and homemade sign calling attention to your pet issue, whether it's traffic, longer bar hours or just the right to more fun. After the parade, make sure you sign in and stay for a group photo. Then it's onto the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club for the victory celebration and libations.