Dance record may be set on Walkway Over Hudson

HAVING already set the record for being longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world, the Walkway Over the Hudson has its eye on a new record — hosting the world’s longest Hokey Pokey line dance.

On Monday, the nonprofit group that oversees the span will unveil its plan to break the Guinness record for the longest line of people performing the same dance.

And the dance they plan to dance is the shake-it-all-about Hokey Pokey.

Walkway representatives hope to convince 3,000 people to take part in the June 9 event. Spokesman Steven Densmore said the current world record is 2,350.

At the press conference, which will be held at the Walkway’s center observation area, organizers will outline how people interested in participating can register online. And students from Poughkeepsie and Beacon high schools and Marist College will be on hand to give a Hokey Pokey demonstration.

In the roughly 2-1/2 years since it opened as the world’s longest elevated walkway, the once abandoned Poughkeepsie-highland Railroad Bridge has drawn visitors from throughout the region, the state and beyond.

In July 2011, the Walkway celebrated its 1 millionth visitor during an Independence Day celebration.

pdoxsey@fremanonline. com; twitter.com/pattiatfreeman