World record broken in Mexico for biggest mariachi band

(NECN/APTV) - Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, on Sunday entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world's biggest mariachi band. A total of 549 musicians played for just over ten minutes in the square in front of the Cabanas Cultural Institute in Guadalajara, the birthplace of the distinctive mariachi music style. They closed with traditional mariachi favorites, "Cielito Lindo" and " Guadalajara." "We suffered a little bit, but we completed the goal a few minutes before the closure of the registration process," said Miguel Alfaro, president of Guadalajara National Commerce Chamber and organizer of the mariachi record attempt. "We made it, I am very happy and satisfied that we've made it, and that the record is where it belongs from the very first time: in Jalisco state," he added. Stuart Claxton, the representative of the Guinness Book of World Records, who came to witness the record breaking attempt, officially announced the new record. "We are here today in Guadalajara, on August 30th, 2009, where the record has actually been beaten, and the new Guinness world record for the largest mariachi band is now 549, here in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico." The old record belonged to 520 mariachis who performed in San Antonio, Texas , in 2007, according to Francisco Beckman, an organizer of Sunday's event. Mexico has recently achieved other world records. On Saturday, thousands claimed they performed the largest "Thriller" dance. Mexico also boasted the world's biggest cheesecake and group kiss earlier this year.