CAIRNS - Cairns' attempt to break the world record for largest Ukulele ensemble attracted aficionados of the instrument from across Australia and as far away as Canada.
The mayor Val Shier learnt the instrument especially for the occasion while Labor senator Jan McLucas snuck off to find a quiet corner shortly before the attempt for a ukulele 101 lesson.
But the end total of 677 people fell short of London's record of 851 people set last year.
"We'll get it next year," organiser Gabby Thomasz told the crowd.
Still, there wasn't a disappointed face among the sea of Hawaiian shirts and colourful characters gathered in the courtyard of the city's Courthouse hotel.
"That's still a s***load of ukuleles" one happy observer noted.
The attempt itself was much easier on the ears than it had any right to be given the song choices - Achy Breaky Heart (with the chorus and some verses repeated to reach the required 5 minute mark) and The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
- AAP
Ukelele record attempt
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