Royal Oak event attempts cowbell world record

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – "I got a fever," said Bruce Dickinson. "And the prescription is more cowbell."

The event Saturday morning in Royal Oak would have made Dickinson proud.

The Royal Oak Historical Society attempted to break a Guinness world record Saturday morning for the largest cowbell ensemble.

The event began at 9:15 a.m. when over a thousand cowbells rung simultaneously. A total of 1,021 people participated, according to Community Engagement Specialist Judy Davids.

The current Guinness world record of 640 cowbell ringers was set in Switzerland six years ago.

The event is under review by Guinness World Records.

Royal Oak has a long history associated with the cowbell.

"Cowbell manufacturing was Royal Oaks first industry," Davids said. "In the 1830s, the Starr family was the largest cowbell manufacturer – if not in the country, certainly the Midwest. They produced cowbells for 40 years and made about eight different sizes."

The run/walk event featured a Mad Cow 1-mile run at 8 a.m., a 10k run at 8:05 a.m., a 5k run at 8:20 a.m. and a quarter-mile Kids Cowbell Run at 9:30 a.m.

The world record attempt will be accompanied by a live performance of Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."