The Gilda's LaughFest event in Grand Rapids, Mich., opened by setting a world record with 1,544 people wearing false mustaches, its leader said.

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Leann Arkema said participants put on the fake mustaches Thursday to set the festival's latest world record, mlive.com reported Friday.

"This year's world-record attempt was a seriously fun time," said Arkema, president and chief executive officer of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, host of the comedy event. "It was a great way to kick off the 2013 festival."

The event set a world record last year for the greatest number of people wearing animal noses, with 607 participants putting on chicken beaks, and another record in 2011 for largest rubber chicken toss, with 935 rubber chickens thrown into the air.