Adam Droscha
Staff Writer
When it comes to attempts to set a world record, the town of Nashville is becoming an expert. Saturday, Sept. 17 Route 66 Business District, in cooperation with MOO-ville Creamery and the City of Nashville, made a second attempt to set the record for the world’s longest ice cream sundae. Although Guinness World Records won’t release the final results of the event for another six months, Route 66, MOO-ville, and the town of Nashville are still excited about the turnout of the event.
Tina Westendorp of Route 66 Business District and MOO-ville Creamery provided great insight into the nuts and bolts details of the event, as well as surprising news from the greater Michigan community.
Roughly 4,000 people showed up for the event, which was about 10,000 short of what the sundae could feed. What was left of the ice cream was washed out of the gutters by fire trucks. The sundae was 3,656 feet in length, and was so long that the gutters holding the ice cream had to be looped back around for what Westendorp called the “double gutter system.” Nashville couldn’t close off any more of the street because the sundae was so long.
MLive was present at the event and has since posted a video online that’s received over 30,000 views according to Westendorp. WZZM also made an appearance in Nashville for the event.
The hype and publicity for the event not only had an impact on the Nashville and surrounding communities, but in the greater Michigan community as well. House of Flavors ice cream in Ludington also made an attempt at the world’s longest ice cream sundae earlier this year. Those connected to that store and event were not too happy about Nashville’s second attempt. Westendorp cited some negative comments made on social media toward the Nashville event. Critics made accusations of unoriginality, stealing Ludington’s thunder and ideas, among other negative comments.
“Ludington is livid that we did it,” said Westendorp. “We got a little defensive because we love our town too.”
Westendorp made it clear that MOO-ville and Route 66 certainly weren’t instigating Ludington or even trying to start a rivalry. It just happened to be that Ludington planned their attempt earlier in the year.
“I just don’t think that they know we already did this last year,” said Westendorp.
The goal of the event was just to create a name and a buzz for Nashville. Westendorp and others felt that there has been a negative reputation the last few years and it was time to show that Nashville is a good place.
“Nashville is different than it used to be. It’s not the Nashville people might have known in the past. It’s a much friendlier place than it used to be,” said Westendorp.
Whatever negative comments other towns may have about the world’s longest sundae event, or whatever bad reputation may have surrounded Nashville until now, Route 66 is determined to make Nashville a Michigan favorite. Westendorp spoke briefly about the new brand for the little town. While they’re not exactly sure what that brand will be in the future, she and others in Nashville know that moving forward they want to give Nashville the best name possible.
The world’s longest sundae event brought the Nashville community together for a fun, common goal, and also invited people from the surrounding communities to enjoy an exciting family atmosphere. We can all look at the example of Nashville and take to heart the idea that making a name for ourselves should be fun and inclusive.
Route 66 Business District and MOO-ville Creamery would like to thank all of the volunteers and attendees to the event.
