Almost 4,000 people break world record for largest human maple leaf

An Ontario municipality now has bragging rights after setting the record for the largest human maple leaf over the Canada Day long weekend.

Nearly 4,000 people participated in forming a maple leaf in a park in Trenton, Ont., on Saturday.

Dressed in red T-shirts, the community filled in an outline of the leaf for a Canadian Armed Forces charity.

A representative from Guinness World Record attended the event and presented a certificate for the new record.

More than doubled old record

The last record holder for the largest human maple leaf was Grouse Mountain, B.C., for 1,589 people, according to Guinness World Records' website.

The organizers say they were aiming for 5,000 people, but they still beat the 2017 record with 3,942.

Mike Eden, one of the event organizers, said he saw it as an opportunity to celebrate Canada Day and show appreciation for the military.

"We saw this patriotic opportunity ... as a visual representation of our deep respect and sincere gratitude for those who selflessly serve, as well as their supportive families," said Eden in a media release.

The event was meant to raise awareness of Soldier On, a program that supports veterans and serving members of the military overcome permanent physical injuries and mental illness through sport.

"We're so proud to have made this dream a reality here today and to have shone a spotlight on our Canadian Armed Forces and Soldier On," said Eden.