In 2024, Kyle, Texas had high hopes for the fifth annual Kyle Fair A Tex-Travaganza. The city aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering by attracting 2,326 attendees named Kyle. However, only 706 Kyles showed up according to City spokesperson Alison Kelly. The event took place on May 18th as the city attempted to break the record once again.
Despite falling short of breaking the record by 1,620 Kyles last year with a total of 1,490 participants, the current Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering is held by Kupres in Bosnia-Herzegovina where 2,325 people named Ivan gathered on July 30th in 2017. To participate in the ‘Gathering of the Kyles’, all attendees were required to have the name ‘Kyle’ spelled exactly that way. Variations such as Kyler, Kiel or Kylee were not accepted and middle and last names were also not allowed.
The low turnout of Kyles at this year’s event has sparked disappointment on social media with many expressing their disappointment at not being able to be a part of this historic occasion. Nevertheless, despite failing to break the record this time around, the annual event continues to draw interest and excitement from the community and is already looking forward to next year’s edition.
