NZ Princess Leia Day Updates
NZ Princess Leia Day is a charity event and world record attempt that will be held in Wellington on Saturday June 3rd. The following is a press release, with all of the latest details and updates. Stay tuned to their Facebook page (Facebook.com/NZLeiaDay) for further information and inspiration, and check out their crowdfunding page, raising money to cover event costs, with all surplus going to the International Bipolar Foundation (one of Carrie Fisher’s personal causes) and the NZ Mental Health Foundation, at Boosted.org.nz/projects.nz-princess-leia-day.
On Saturday 3rd June in Civic Square, Wellington, New Zealand, the greatest number of Princess Leias in history will assemble to set a new world record.
At least that’s what will happen if the event’s organisers, Pukerua Bay couple Nikky and Chris Winchester can turn their bizarre vision into reality.
“We want Leias of all genders and none, baby Leias, elderly Leias, juggling Leias, steampunk Leias, burlesque Leias, bearded Leias, Leias with wheelchairs, Leias on stilts, and Leias with ukuleles!” says Nikky (44). “Size, shape, age, colour, sexuality, nationality – the more diverse the better. There may even be a prize for the Best Bloke In A Gold Bikini. Now, that has to be worth seeing!”
The Winchesters intend to make a massively participative visual record of the event too, so will be encouraging all attendees to bring their phones and cameras, take lots of photos and video, and be prepared to share them with the world. Some of the shots may be used in a tribute music video later in the year.
… If all goes to plan, they need six hundred Leias to ensure they set a world record. It seems they’ve been doing their research.
“The current Guinness World Record for the ‘largest gathering of people dressed as princesses’ stands at 341, and was set in the UK in 2014.” explains Chris. “Then a subsequent unofficial record of 537 was set in December 2015, also in the UK. Our target is to beat both, and establish a new record for the largest gathering of people dressed as the SAME princess. And to bring the record to New Zealand!”
“But,” adds Nikky, “it can only be officially ratified by Guinness World Records if we reach our ultimate goal of seven thousand dollars, as there are fees to pay and we need to provide a lot of evidence. We’ll have to keep cameras on the registration desk at all times and have one independent judge per fifty Leias to sign it off—it’s quite an undertaking.”
While Nikky is hard at work organising the logistics for the day and managing the event’s growing Facebook community, Chris has his hands full with other projects.
“Assuming we get the funds we need, May is going to be one of our maddest months ever,” admits Chris. “Our spoof Middle-Earth-Beatles music video Rescued By Eagles is due to be released on YouTube on June 1st, which is the 50th anniversary of the Sgt Pepper album but just two days before NZ Leia Day… so there’s not going to be much room to breathe!”
But what do Disney make of all this? Is it all official?
“Well, in the true spirit of Leia, we’re something of a rebellion,” says Chris. “But as we’re not making any profit, and if there are excess funds they’ll be gifted to charities close to Carrie Fisher’s heart, I very much hope the corporation don’t shut us down! We want to celebrate all that’s great about Star Wars, and even though we’ve lost Carrie, as fans we love that Disney are keeping the dream alive. We want to do our bit too.”
As the NZ Princess Leia Day Facebook page puts it:
“Prepare… Do the Hair… Be There… Be Leia!”
What more is there to say?
- Website: www.nzleiaday.com [currently redirects to Boosted page]
- Crowdfunder: www.boosted.org.nz/projects/nz-princess-leia-day
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NZLeiaDay
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/NZLeiaDay
- Hashtag: #NZLeiaDay
