Just shy of record, holiday spirit still strong among the elves in Rockville Centre

Rockville Centre bars and restaurants, in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for most people dressed as Santa’s elves in a single location on Dec. 16.

According to Niall Gunn, owner of Monaghan’s, 507 people attended the event despite the rain, and each person gave a donation or money collected from sponsors. The money raised for the event, which Gunn estimates will end up around $7,000, will be donated to The Jillian E. Daly Foundation, the ALS Association of New York, the Rockville Centre Community Fund and Crosscare, a social care agency located in Dublin.

The gathering fell just 100 shy of the record, set by ABC Family in New York in 2009 as part of their 25 Days of Christmas event.

The elves gathered at Monaghan’s, Blackthorn, MacArthur Park, RJ Daniels and Kaseys and at 3 p.m. all the elves met in the St. Agnes parking lot.

The Jerry & the Newcomers band performed during the event and a $15 buffet was available for adults and free chicken fingers and fries for children under 12.

Sean O’Rourke, a village resident and businessman, has said that he will match the money raised for the event.

I think it went really well,” Gunn said. “People showed great heart coming out despite the weather. It was quite wet. The spirit was great and there were loads of kids, which was amazing. They are all gung-ho for next year to try again.”