White Rock Baptist Church is gearing up to piece together a record this weekend, and they’re inviting anyone who’d like to be a part of the fun to join them.
Efforts are to get underway at 9 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 20) to build the world’s largest puzzle – Ravensburger’s 40,320-piece ‘Memorable Disney Moments’ creation.
Information at ravensburger.us notes it has been confirmed by Guinness World Records as “the largest commercially made puzzle in the world.” Highlighting 10 Disney movies, it measures just over six feet by 22 feet once completed, weighs approximately 44 lbs and takes around 600 hours to put together, the website adds.
As well, a Mickey Mouse symbol is hidden within each hand-drawn scene.
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Pastor Hannah Juras said the idea for the event was quite random. A friend who attends the church saw the puzzle for sale on Facebook Marketplace earlier this year. Being “a bit of a Disney nerd and a bit of a puzzle nerd,” he told Juras, “I really want a reason to do this,” she told Peace Arch News Wednesday (Nov. 17).
She noted the puzzle was essentially brand new, as the seller had never had the space to put it together.
Purchased for less than half of its original price – through research, Juras’ friend learned it initially sold for US$750 – it was ultimately decided to plan for a building event in the fall.
Juras said the logistics were eased by the fact that each of the 10 puzzle scenes are packaged separately. They will be completed in different rooms of the church, then brought to the gym for the final joining.
Describing it as “absolutely a public event” that everyone is welcome to pitch in on, Juras said she is cautiously optimistic that the endeavour can be finished in the 14 hours that have been allocated.
She said people who want to help can stay for as long or as short a time as they like, but she fully expects there will be at least a few who dive in for the long haul.
“I think there will be people who stay as long as they physically can – like, as long as their eyes aren’t going cross-eyed, they will be there.”
Plans for the day also include other Disney-themed fun, such as trivia and prizes, as well as colouring sheets for younger attendees. The movies featured in the puzzle will also be playing in the background, Juras said.
Exactly what will be done with the puzzle after it’s finished hasn’t quite been determined. It’ll stay on display for a few days, Juras said, but will ultimately have to be packed away. What happens from there remains to be seen.
As Saturday’s event will be held indoors, masks will be mandatory and proof of vaccination will be required for everyone aged 12 and older.
The church is located at 1657 140 St.
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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