The Big Red Bash just broke three world records
The Big Red Bash is officially over for 2023 and this year, a whopping three world records were broken. Here's the lowdown on what went down.
By Jess Olson,
July 10, 2023
Leading up to the 2023 Big Red Bash, Outback Queensland saw an unseasonable amount of rain. In fact, I was driving through Outback Queensland at the time and experienced the slippery and muddy unsealed roads myself. They were challenging, to say the least. My first thought as I slid across the mud was in sympathy for the poor festival-goers who were still bravely marching towards the festival. But I need not fret, as spirits were so high that an amazing three world records were broken!
Here’s the rundown on the incredible fundraising and world records broken at this year’s Big Red Bash.
World Record #1: The Largest Human Image of a Country
Previously held by Romania with 4,807 participants, Birdville’s Big Red Bash took out the record with a first-of-its-kind fundraiser. No less than 5,467 punters, who were kitted in blue from top to toe, were herded into the shape of Australia to break the world record for, “The Largest Human Image of a Country”. It was done inside an area mapped out by GPS, with none other than Aussie legend John Williamson performing True Blue to keep the Aussie patriotism high. This incredible effort raised a much-needed $74,897.90 for Type 1 Diabetes research! A cause very close to festival founder, Greg Donovan’s heart.
“Big Blue Day was unbelievable. It was a beautiful site to see the sea of blue, and with John Williamson singing, it doesn’t get more Australian than that,” Greg Donovan said. “We feel so lucky to be here 10 years on. Drought, Covid, floods, we’ve seen it all and keep coming back bigger and better than ever.”
Even John Williamson was impressed, stating, “It really was a special sight to see people from all corners of Australia gathered on the red sand, dressed in blue in the shape of Australia. Absolutely unreal.”
World Record #2: The Most People Practicing Yoga on a Red Sand Dune
Consider yourself a bit of a yogi? Many of us could use a little more deep breathing, body movement and zen in our lives. But have you ever done it with a stunning desert horizon for a view?
At the Big Red Bash, 672 yogis did just that and broke a world record at the same time. Talk about the early bird catching the worm! On day two of the Outback festival, hundreds of attendees woke up to climb Big Red in an effort to engage in some picturesque yoga practice. 672 yogis got straight into their sun salutations, a well-known and commonly practised sequence of yoga typically performed at sunrise. Except this time, it was while overlooking a sea of red sand. This saw a new Australian record set for ‘The Most People Practicing Yoga on a Red Sand Dune.’
World Record #3: The Largest Nutbush City Limits Dance
Perhaps one of the most well-known performances that occurs annually at the Big Red Bash, the Nutbush City Limits Dance, saw 5,838 festival goers put on their dancing shoes. This year was extra special, paying tribute to the late Tina Turner, whose 1973 classic hit is always a crowd favourite for Outback festival lovers and city slickers alike.
Breaking the world record for the ‘Largest Nutbush City Limits Dance’ was the highlight of the final day of the three-day 10th-anniversary event. With a very worthy cause at its core, the Nutbush has been raising much-needed funds for the Royal Flying Doctors since 2016. Impressively, 2023’s bush dancers raised a life-changing $87,570 that will go toward providing much needed care to the Outback.
Greg Donovan, Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group said, “We are thrilled to have witnessed 5,838 enthusiastic revellers come together to set a world record for the largest Nutbush City Limits dance. The energy and spirit displayed by the participants were truly remarkable.”
He added, “It’s heartwarming to see the Nutbush dance become an iconic tradition at the Birdsville Big Red Bash, raising much-needed funds for the Royal Flying Doctors. Tina Turner’s legacy lives on through the joyous celebration and the incredible support it provides to a worthy cause.”
It was a win-win all around
Although the weather made things challenging for festival goers, it had no impact on the spirits of the Big Red Bash attendees, who absolutely smashed world records out of the park. Not only did everyone have a rockin’ good time, but they also raised an amazing amount of money for some hugely worthy causes. It was a win-win all around! Let’s see what 2024 brings, shall we?
