10 Guinness World Records set in Pennsylvania
From the feats of pogo stick athletes to tens of thousands of cookies, here are 10 Guinness World Records that were broken in Pennsylvania.
Who doesn’t remember thumbing through the Guinness Book of World Records as a kid and dreaming of the records you might break one day? In Pennsylvania, many people have broken world records themselves or joined together with their communities to do so. In fact, according to Guinness World Records, Pennsylvania is home to 67 record holders, roughly 1.2% of all record holders in the country. We’ve put together a list of 10 of our favorite records that were set in Pennsylvania, from the world’s largest wedding cookie table to the recently broken record for the world’s heaviest eggplant.
Largest wedding cookie table–Monongahela (Washington County)
The Monongahela Area Historical Society set the record for the largest wedding cookie table ever in August 2019, when the society celebrated Monongahela’s 250th birthday with 140 tables filled with at least 88,425 cookies! Wedding cookies tables are a Western Pennsylvania tradition, because a good party requires more than one dessert. As part of the town’s festivities, three couples were married and three renewed their vows. That’s more than 14,700 cookies per couple! And with more than 1,300 different cookie styles available at the anniversary celebration and cookie extravaganza, we’re sure that every cookie you can think of was represented, from classic chocolate chip to the regional favorite ladylock.
Heaviest eggplant–Harrison City (Westmoreland County)
Just this year, the record for the world’s heaviest eggplant was broken in Harrison City. In August, 2025, a massive eggplant grown by Erik Gunstrom weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces—more than the average newborn. This was only Gunstrom’s third summer growing eggplants. However, he’s no stranger to giant veggies, having grown giant pumpkins for more than 20 years. His giant eggplant was actually one of two he had weighed—and both were heavier than the previous record winner, which was a paltry 8 pounds, 5.3 ounces. Gunstrom told Guiness World Records that when he realized he broke the record, “I felt just like you would feel if you had won the Super Bowl!”
Largest bobblehead–Harrisburg (Dauphin County)
The record for the world’s largest bobblehead belongs to the discount store Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, which is headquartered in Harrisburg. For its 40th anniversary, the retail chain constructed a 16 and a half foot tall bobblehead in the likeness of—who else?—store co-founder Oliver “Ollie” Rosenberg, which debuted at their flagship store in Harrisburg. The giant head even bobbled!
Oldest fully restored roller coaster–Altoona (Blair County)
Located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Leap-the-Dips is the name of the world’s oldest roller coaster that’s still standing. The side-friction wooden coaster was built more than a century ago in 1902 and thrilled guests until it closed in 1985 due to maintenance concerns. However, a restoration fundraising campaign raised $850,000 to bring Leap-the-Dips back to its former glory, and it reopened in 1999. The 123-year-old coaster is currently closed, just waiting for its next passengers, as Lakemont Park focuses on restoration of many of its historic rides.
Oldest drive-in cinema–Orefield (Lehigh County)
The record for the oldest drive-in cinema that’s still in operation is held by Orefield’s popular Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater, which opened in April 1934—just months after the world’s first drive-in opened in nearby New Jersey. As such, Shankweiler’s was one of the first drive-in theaters, which rose in popularity as crowds came in their vehicles to watch the new and exciting films known as “talkies,” which incorporated sound. Shankweiler’s is still open today and shows movies year-round.
Most balloon animals made in one hour– Newtown (Bucks County)
In 2007, comedian and balloon artist John Cassidy set the world record for the most modelling balloon sculptures—balloon animals—ever made in one hour. Cassidy made 747 balloon shapes in 60 minutes at Bucks County Community College in Newtown. That’s an average of more than 12 balloon animals per minute!
Pogopalooza records–Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
More than one record has been set at Pittsburgh’s Pogopalooza, the world championships of pogo—aka, moving on a pogo stick. Each summer, the world’s most talented extreme pogo athletes descend on the Steel City to show off pogo jumps and tricks. In 2014, 15 Pogopalooza competitors broke the record for the most people performing synchronized backflips on pogo sticks. Other records broken at Pogopalooza in Pittsburgh include, among others, the most people performing synchronized front flips on pogo sticks—eight people in 2024—and the highest forward flip pogo stick jump—11 feet, achieved just this past summer.
Largest golf ball pyramid–McKeesport (Allegheny County)
In 2022, Zachary Krivda built a golf ball pyramid in his garage, as one is wont to do when bored, right? Krivda, however, broke the world record for the world’s largest golf ball pyramid. His structure was made up of 17,575 yellow and white golf balls placed in 37 rows of alternating colors.
Most people knocking on wood simultaneously–Doylestown (Bucks County)
In April 2024, employees and friends of Tague Lumber in Doylestown broke a world record for the most people knocking on wood simultaneously—552! They knocked on wood together for 10 seconds—and with so many people participating, we’re sure the group will be protected from bad luck for the rest of their lives. The 552 record holders broke the previous record (yes, there was a previous record) of 295 people.
Longest Sunday school attendance–Mars (Butler County)
Otto Brechel, born in 1890, spent nearly every Sunday of his 100 years in Sunday school, setting the record for the longest Sunday school attendance. Brechel, who died in Mars in 1990, attended church school every single Sunday for 88 years, never grumbling about being too sick or choosing to sleep in after a late night. Over his lifetime, he went to Sunday school at three different Pennsylvania churches, clocking more than 4,500 Sundays in a row. “I’ve never been sick in bed, and I can’t even remember ever having a headache or bellyache,” he said of breaking the record. Couldn’t be us, Mr. Brechel!
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