Columbia is not only “famously hot,” but is also known for its Southern charm and style. As the cusp of spring draws close, sundresses and bowties become a Southern staple in all events. Therefore it’s no surprise that Columbia is leading the way in breaking a new record for anything traditional and handsome.
This February, Columbia will be hosting an event in attempt to set the GUINESS WORLD RECORDS® record for the most bowties tied simultaneously — doubling the record of 417 achieved in November 2012. The event, entitled Tie Us Together, is planned to raise continued support and funds for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, who is celebrating 30 years of caring for more than 85,000 children of the Midlands and South Carolina. The record-breaking attempt for the bowties will directly “tie-in” with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital.
Tie us Together will be put on in collaboration with Palmetto Health Foundation, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, the City of Columbia, the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Brittons of Columbia, and University of South Carolina Dance Marathon, a longtime supporter of Children’s Hospital and Palmetto Health Foundation. “We are totally thrilled with this opportunity,” says Taylor Foster, Coordinator, USCDM. “This is such a great way to increase awareness about Children’s Hospital and what we do with Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon has raised more than $1.6 million for Children’s Hospital over the past 15 years, and we hope this will increase that amount. We challenge the University community and Columbia to come out and show their support.”
In preparation for the bowtie event, participants can view a “how-to” video on YouTube, created by the Columbia CVB in 2007. The video features Brittons of Columbia’s bowtie aficionado, Lucky Levinson with instruction on fine-tuning the “bowtie-ing” technique.
Tie Us Together will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Sunday, Feb. 9 with doors opening at 2 p.m. The actual attempt at tying the most bowties will begin at 4 p.m. An adjudicator from GUINESS WORLD RECORDS® will be in attendance to certify the results.
Brittons is having in-store events that will feature limited edition Tie Us Together items designed by several collaborative vendors. Proceeds from the sale of these limited edition bowties and Smathers & Branson needlepoint key fobs will go to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Commemorative t-shirts and koozies will also be available for purchase in February. “This is a great way to support Children’s Hospital and to spend a Sunday with your friends, family, church groups or other organizations,” says Perry Lancaster with Brittons. “We hope our neighbors and friends in Columbia will join us!”
There will be live music, special guests, bowtie classes and great SWAG from sponsors in order to make this a truly special event. To register for the event, visit https://tieustogether.eventbrite.com. To get involved prior to the event or volunteer, contact Rachel Barnett at rgbarnett@earthlink.net or Taylor Foster at fostertb@email.sc.edu. Like Tie Us Together on Facebook and follow @TieUsTogether on Twitter.
