Attempt at Breaking Guinness World Record(TM) Marks Grand Opening of AMC Firewheel 18

Attempt at Breaking Guinness World Record(TM) Marks Grand Opening of AMC Firewheel 18

'World's Largest Box of Popcorn' Will Be Displayed at New Theatre

GARLAND, Texas, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- North Texas residents will witness the breaking of a Guinness World Record(TM) at the grand opening of the AMC Firewheel 18 theatre in Garland with the unveiling of the "World's Largest Box of Popcorn" at 10:00 a.m. today, Wed., Dec. 14, 2005. The spectacle will be submitted to the Guinness World Records and will be displayed at the entrance of the AMC Firewheel 18.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051214/NYW059 )

The popcorn box is expected to dethrone the current Guinness World Record set in 2005 by CINEBOX in Salt Gerona, Spain. It will stand 18 feet tall and will have an approximate volume of 1800 cubic feet. The popcorn box will be filled with approximately 2,200 pounds of popped popcorn.

"AMC Firewheel 18 will soon be known as more than the place to be for great entertainment," said Phil Singleton, president and chief operating officer, AMC Theatres. "We're very excited that this effort will give AMC Theatres and the City of Garland the distinction of being world record holders."

Preparing to break the record presented a number of challenges including the design and construction of such a large structure. After soliciting a number of builders and construction companies, local handyman Tim Rogers was charged with the task of building the structure.

"When I heard about it, I thought it was a joke," said Rogers, who normally builds stage sets. "Not only were there challenges in designing and building such a large box, but it would have to withstand hundreds of pounds of popcorn. In the end, I'm thrilled to be a part of breaking a world record. Not too many people get this type of opportunity."

The local concessions supply company, Liberto of Dallas, will use a 1,000 pound air popping machine to pop approximately 2,200 pounds of popcorn, which will then be delivered in on a 52 foot semi-truck to the AMC Firewheel 18 in order to fill the popcorn box.

The unveiling of the popcorn box will kick off five days of special events at the new AMC Firewheel 18 Theatre including a toy drive with Toys for Tots and a holiday fireworks show on Sat., Dec. 17 at 7:00p.m.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051214/NYW059
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: AMC Theatres

CONTACT: Melanie Bell of AMC Theatres, +1-816-480-2560,
mbell@amctheatres.com; or Benjamin (BJ) Larkin, of Levenson & Hill
Advertising, +1-214-932-6011, bj.larkin@levensonbrinkerpr.com, for AMC
Theatres

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