Aquarium at the Boardwalk Makes a Record-Breaking Holiday Splash

Measuring in at nearly 70 feet long, over 40 feet wide and 300 pounds, the largest Santa hat sculpture in the world can now be found sitting atop the head of a giant octopus at Branson’s Aquarium at the Boardwalk.

The enormous Santa hat sculpture was custom-made to fit the crown of Aquarius; the aquarium’s 55-foot-tall outdoor octopus sculpture. Guinness World Records officially certified the Branson aquarium’s larger-than-life Christmas decoration as title holder for the largest Santa hat sculpture during a special ceremony on Friday, Nov. 6.

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric made the journey to Branson from New York City to recognize the aquarium with its record-breaking certificate.

“At Guinness World Records, we have detailed guidelines for all record attempts. In this case, for the largest Santa sculpture, the requirement was that it looked like a Santa hat, it’d be easily recognizable, it’d be unsupported, and they didn’t let me measure it, unfortunately,” Empric said. “A surveyor did a measurement prior to the hat being installed. So, we know down to the millimeter, how big the hat is. Now, when we have a new record in Guinness World Records, which this one is, we always set a minimum for that record title. 
The minimum, in this case, was 30 meters, which is 98-feet, five-inches. I can now announce that I have reviewed the surveyor’s report, and today, Aquarium at the Boardwalk, had a measurement of 110-feet, three-inches. It’s a new Guinness World Records title. I’d like to congratulate Aquarium at the Boardwalk. You are officially amazing.”

Aquarium at the Boardwalk Co-Owner Tej Sundher shared his excitement for being a part of An Ozark Mountain Christmas and earning the record-breaking title.

“I think it’s amazing. The record in and of itself is great, but what we really want to do is shed some light on Ozark Mountain Christmas,” Sundher said. “This is our first inaugural year of being part of that. We wanted to make sure we came in for a splash, not only for us, but also for the region and the area. We are heavily invested in brands, and we have over five attractions here. We just thought it was the right thing to do, and we’re very excited to pull it off.”

The month-long fabrication of the Santa hat sculpture took approximately 80 hours of sewing and 25,200 inches of stitching. It has no internal framework and is made out of Comtex, a durable outdoor fabric commonly used for shade sails. The hat’s white brim is filled with Dacron polyester batting. The Santa hat was laid flat on a football field so the surveyor could measure it from the brim’s outermost edge to the pom-pom’s farthest point and then across the brim at its widest point. Installation of the sculpture took nine hours, 15 people, two lifts and a crane, which swung the hat 150 feet into the air before being set down onto the head of Aquarius, according to the aquarium.

During the ceremony, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Heather Hermen shared how an Ozark Mountain Christmas and festive achievements, such as the sculpture, help set Branson apart from all other holiday destinations.

“It’s something that we celebrate, we honor, we cherish, you can set your watch or calendar by it every year. Nov. 1 to Jan. 7, we invite everyone to come and celebrate an Ozark Mountain Christmas with us,” Hermen said. “Events like this, things that are done like this, at an institution like the Aquarium at the Boardwalk; these are things that draw visitors, millions of them, from around the world to come and see and experience what Branson has to offer. We’re more than grateful that they have taken the time, the money, and the effort to put into this giant accomplishment right behind us. It’s something that we honor and cherish, and we can’t wait to tell the world about it.”

Branson Christmas Coalition Executive Director Elizabeth Hughes also addressed attendees at the event and spoke on the true force behind the magic of Branson.

“There’s just something pretty special about a community that doesn’t just dream big. It actually comes together to make big things happen, as you can see behind us,” Hughes said. “On behalf of the Branson Christmas Coalition, I want to congratulate the Aquarium at the Boardwalk for thinking big and helping make Ozark Mountain Christmas even more extraordinary. Branson’s magic comes from the creativity, investment, and community spirit of the people and businesses who potentially find new ways to give visitors a reason to come, linger a little longer or make memories with their families; and today we’re making a little history along the way.”

Empric shared the aquarium’s new festive sculpture joins a unique group of other holiday themed record-holders.

“At Guinness World Records, we love a holiday record attempt,” Empric said. “I’ve done things as varied as largest mistletoe, most people kissing under the mistletoe, most people wearing Santa hats; so those sorts of things that are really iconic to Christmas in the holiday season. And this is just another great example of this. And, you know, I saw the renderings in advance. I saw the surveyor’s report measuring it, but to see it in person is really, really incredible. It’s so impressive.”

In addition to the Santa hat wearing octopus greeting visitors passing by on the 76 Strip, the Branson attraction has made an even bigger holiday splash with the debut of its inaugural Christmas Under the Sea immersive adventure.

“We’ve invested heavily in the show,” Sundher said. “We have a Santa five days a week. We brought in a brand new 5D Santa ride. We have scavenger hunts for the kids who go through with nutcrackers all the way through. You have a [Christmas] passport you get stamped at every world. We have little fun penguin helpers. So, we went all in, and I think people are going to see a real difference. If you want to get in the Christmas spirit, here’s the place to come.”

Christmas Under the Sea features 1,056-feet of custom-made, candy and ocean inspired garland, six custom-crafted Christmas trees and 70 handmade bells in Mermaid Palace. Guests will also get to see nine individual themed nutcracker guardians which are individually displayed through nine themed environments where Christmas magic meets the wonders of the ocean.

Santa Claus will be visiting the aquarium Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 to 7 p.m. in Candy Harbor and each day the Christmas Fountain Show brings together multi-colored lights, dancing water and festive Christmas music every 30-minutes.

Aquarium at the Boardwalk is located at 2700 West 76 Country Blvd. Unit A in Branson. For additional information on Christmas Under the Sea and ticket offerings visit aquariumattheboardwalk.com or email AQ@AquariumAtTheBoardwalk.com.