Joey Fatone helps Super 8 set new pillow-fighting record

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The Super 8 economy hotel chain says it has enlisted the help of TV host and former NSYNC pop star Joey Fatone to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest pillow fight, which involved 4,201 people.

The event was held at South Dakota State University's Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. The state was chosen because it is where the brand opened its first hotel in 1974.

Those who participated in this weekend's epic pillow fight were the university's students, alumni, parents and fans. The record-breaking attempt occurred between the first and second quarter of the South Dakota Corn Showdown Series football game. It lasted for 60 seconds, per official Guinness rules.

The effort broke the previous record of 4,200 participants, which was set earlier this year.

"We're unbelievably excited to mark this milestone in such a big and fun way, surrounded by the fans of South Dakota State University and Joey Fatone as we officially put our names in the record book," Mike Mueller, Super 8 brand senior vice president, said in a statement Saturday. "Super 8 opened its first hotel in Aberdeen, S.D., in 1974, and today that property is joined by more than 2,400 locations worldwide. What better way to celebrate just how far the brand has come than by returning to our birth place and partaking in the fun and revelry of setting a new world record."