World’s Largest Pasta, and a Wedding in Utica, NY – Feb 14, 2004
Yes, it did indeed happen on February 14, 2004 when The Keeler TV Show on FOX 33 created the World's Largest Pasta - and wedding which broke the Guinness Book record at a weight of 7,355 pounds. It was enormous!
It happened on Valentine's Day 2004 in center court at Sangertown Square in New Hartford. Keeler held a contest asking for a couple to agree to get married by then Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo. Several couples entered the contest and the winner turns out to be
The winning couple was Lisa and Steven Sanford, who were actually already married, but renewing their vows. The wedding went off without a hitch as the couple actually stepped into the huge dish of pasta. A large crowd at Sangertown watched on and the event was ultimately televised on Keeler's TV show.
Frank Cristiano of Tony's Pizzeria spent weeks cooking the spaghetti and storing it at his cooler at his pizzeria in Washington Mills. The sauce was provided by a New York City Company, Fuh-Getta-boutIt - The Boss of Sauce, which was distributed through Casa Imports in Utica, and played off a Soprano's theme.
The large dish of pasta shattered the record previously set at Guinness which was just over 3,500 pounds. Guinness certified the Utica dish at 7,355 pounds and the record stood in the book for almost a decade.
Once the couple was officially married, guests didn't throw rice at the happy couple - they threw pecorino-romano cheese to celebrate the occasion.
Check out these amazing photos taken by photo journalist Nancy L. Ford, 19 years ago today, back in 2004.