PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — The City of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Boyds Bear Country, the World’s Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store, are joining together for a world record event on Saturday, Nov. 5, in support of families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

While organizers are preparing for more, the largest attempted group hug in history must involve at least 5,118 participants in this Smoky Mountain town one of the Southeast’s most popular tourist destinations.

“This is the Smoky Mountain’s way of showing support for families affected by Hurricane Katrina,” said Kay Powell, assistant director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “Clearly, the people of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are deserving of a hug this huge.”

More than 100 families have relocated to this tiny mountain destination after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region. As many as 6,000 families have reportedly been relocated to neighboring Knoxville, just 35 miles away.

“Call it Southern hospitality, or the inherent influence of a teddy bear,” said Boyds Bear Country manager Will Edwards. “This city, this region is sending a message to all families displaced by Katrina: You are backed by the hearts and hugs of America.”

The record-breaking group hug will take place at resident teddy bear store Boyds Bear Country’s four-story bank barn, which occupies 120,000 square feet at 149 Cates Lane in Pigeon Forge. The event is free, and the public is invited to come help set a world record while helping those in need.

Group hug participants are asked to bring a winter coat (new or used in good condition) or a new unwrapped toy to help hurricane families enjoy the holidays. In coordination with the United Way and Salvation Army, all goods will be distributed in the Smoky Mountain region to hurricane families in need, with the remainder to be transported to needful families in the Gulf Coast area.

Festivities begin at 8 a.m. with registration for the group hug and family activities including music, magicians and drawings for prizes. Participants in the group hug will receive a free, collectible bear from the Boyds Bear Country store in Pigeon Forge, plus exciting discounts from other participating Pigeon Forge businesses.

With quick and careful coordination at 10 a.m., participants will clasp, cuddle and squeeze for the record-breaking hug.

The existing record for the Largest Hug is recorded by Guinness World Records as occurring on April 23, 2004, in Ontario, Canada. That day, more than 5,117 students, staff and friends of a high school hugged in a gigantic circle for 10 seconds.

For more information about this award-winning event call (865) 429-7350 or log on to www.mypigeonforge.com. You also can contact Boyds Bear Country at 1-888-654-6215 or www.boydsbearcountry.com.