N.D. flies away with snow angel record

BISMARCK, N.D., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- This weekend in Bismarck, N.D., nearly 9,000 people gathered to help break the world record for the most individuals simultaneously making snow angels.

The Bismarck Tribune said that by gathering 8,911 people together on the State Capitol Grounds Saturday to engage in the winter activity, North Dakota apparently shattered the previous record.

Event organizer Marilyn Snyder thanked all the participants who helped break the previous record of 3,784 simultaneous snow angels was set by a group in Michigan last year.

"The people of North Dakota are fantastic. They stepped up to the plate and hit more than a home run today," Snyder said. "I asked the governor to ask the Legislature to proclaim us the Snow Capital of the World."

The newspaper said that by drawing such a crowd, which included North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven and first lady Mikey, Saturday's event also temporarily made the Capitol grounds the state's 10th most populated community.