Super 8, the world’s largest economy hotel chain, celebrated 40 years of hospitality this weekend by joining TV host and former 'N SYNC pop star Joey Fatone in South Dakota to break the Guinness World Record for the largest pillow fight.
Held at South Dakota State University’s Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, in the state where the brand opened its first hotel in 1974, the effort saw exactly 4,501 students, alumni, parents and fans take part in a fun-filled pillow fight challenge during one of the most anticipated football games of the season: the South Dakota Corn Showdown Series, a head-to-head match-up between South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.
Fatone hosted the anniversary event and kicked off the challenge.
“We’re unbelievably excited to mark this milestone in such a big and fun way, surrounded by the fans of South Dakota State University and Joey Fatone as we officially put our names in the record book,” said Mike Mueller, Super 8 brand senior vice president. “Super 8 opened its first hotel in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1974, and today that property is joined by more than 2,400 locations worldwide. What better way to celebrate just how far the brand has come than by returning to our birth place and partaking in the fun and revelry of setting a new world record.”
The record-breaking attempt occurred between the first and second quarter of the game and lasted for 60 seconds, per official Guinness rules. The effort broke the previous record of 4,200 participants, which was set earlier this year.
Aside from breaking the world record, Super 8 also gave away super prizes to eight lucky participants. One grand prize winner received a $500 Wyndham Rewards Visa Gift Card and vintage Super 8 T-shirt while seven others each received a $100 gift card and a T-shirt.
Immediately following the event, participants were encouraged to donate their pillows to Feeding South Dakota, the philanthropic group benefiting from the South Dakota Corn Showdown Series. Feeding South Dakota will in turn distribute the pillows to households in need throughout the state.
