Most People Cutting Hair set Guinness World Record 2010 - Mitchell County Salon

Mitchell County Salon set new Guinness World Record for Most People Cutting Hair at the same time.

It was a haircut that will go down in history, as two Mitchell County salon owners recently clipped their way into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Listed prominently under “Most People Cutting Hair,” in the next publication will be the names Darcy Steele and Sheri Elliott, who were among the 552 licensed cosmetologists cutting hair at the same time to set the new world record on April 10.

“We had a blast; it was really exciting,” said Steele.

Steele, the owner of Darcy’s Country Cuts in St. Ansgar, and Elliott, owner of Sheri’s Hair Studio in Osage, were already planning to attend Peel’s Salon Services annual Spring Trade Show at the MidAmerican Center in Council Bluffs. With the registration packet they were also invited to participate in the distributor’s “World’s Largest Hands-On Workshop.”

After a day filled with the latest in industry education and exhibits, the two entered the auditorium at the MAC, which was lined with rows of folding chairs. Each stylist was given a number and assigned a chair.

“You could bring your own model, or Peel’s had models lined up,” said Steele, adding they were both paired with Peel’s models from cosmetology schools.

“We got a kit with combs and scissors,” said Elliott, explaining that they each kept their supplies in a styling tool belt rather than the standard salon counters, and were given specific instructions. Hair was to be wet down 10 minutes before the start time, and large clocks generally used for sporting events were set.

Once the clock was ticking, officials from Peel’s and the Guinness Book of World Records kept close tabs on the action with eagle eyes. Camera crews roamed the aisles, documenting every scene from all angles.

The goal was to keep everyone cutting hair collectively for a consecutive 15 minutes. If somebody was unable to finish a cut, replacements waited in the wings to take their spots. EMT’s were on hand to take care of any accidents from a quick snip of the scissors.

“They actually timed us for 17 minutes, just to be on the safe side,” said Steele, adding that the standard salon pump-up chair would’ve made the feat a little easier.

“Honestly, I didn’t think there was a lot of light, and not a whole lot of room,” said Elliott of the challenges.

After 17 minutes the group ceased cutting and the Guinness Book of World Records crew assembled backstage. About 10 minutes later, after checking the stats and cross- referencing information, they returned with the news.

“It was really exciting. We all got temporary certificates,” said Steele, adding their official Guinness Book of World Records certificates, complete with their names printed on the document, will arrive in the mail soon.

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Peel’s Salon - Most People Cutting Hair set Guinness World Record 2010

Saturday at the Mid-America Center, 552 hair stylists cutting 552 heads of hair set the Guinness Book of World Record’s mark for “Most People Cutting Hair.”

The record fell as part of the “World’s Largest Hands-On Workshop,” being put on by Peel’s Salon Service as part of its annual spring trade show, which began Saturday and runs through today.

“We thought we’d try to do something fun and different,” said Linda Melia, vice president of Peels.

The previous record was 250 stylists and 250 heads. Melia said Peel’s started off hoping to just beat the current record, but had such an overwhelming amount of interest, they soon realized they could smash it.

“We had such a good response, we checked with the MAC to see how many people we could accommodate,” Melia said.

The event filled the arena of the convention center, with featured stylist Phillip Wilson cutting a model’s hair on center stage. Wilson is the international creative director of FHI Heat, a hairstyling tools company.

Guinness World Record rules stipulated that the cutting last 15 minutes. When the clock hit zero a roar went up from spectators in the crowd and the 1,104 record-setters.

Heather Herlicka, 36, and Aimee Thomsen, 24, made the trek from their Cedar Rapids- based salon, The Hair Gallery, to cut hair in the event.

“To be part of this is amazing,” Herlicka said. “It brought tears to our eyes.”

Stylist Julie Schultz thought she was going to miss out on getting her name in the record book. The David City, Neb., native was on the waiting list for the event, but when other stylists canceled she got the call from Peel’s.

“I was very excited. We’re a part of history,” Schultz said of herself and her sister Jill Kerkman, whose hair Schultz cut. “There are going to be more Guinness books than normal sold in David City this year.”

“She did an awesome job,” Kerkman said of her haircut. “She’s the only person that touches my hair.”

Stylists from states across the Midwest, including Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota attended the event. Guinness adjudicator Mike Janela was flown in from New York City to verify the record.

“It’s really rewarding to see people achieve their dreams,” Janela said. “They pulled it off.”

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