Homecoming mums have long been a tradition in Texas, but now the custom has become more of a sport as schools work to break the world’s record for the largest mum.
Oak Ridge High School is doing just that and has its sights set on the record in hopes its massive mum that will span more than 2,000 square feet will land them the Guiness World Record.
Arlington ISD holds the record with its 119-square-foot mum created in 2021. However, Lewisville High School recently debuted its mum measuring 300 square feet.
For Ashley Wilson, a six-year floral design teacher at Oak Ridge High School, “crushing” the record has been the goal since beginning the project the first week of school.
“Let’s go big or go home,” Wilson said. “Let’s go real big.”
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To begin the construction of the mum, Wilson said the goal was to keep the cost low and find ways to keep the weight down. She said the community has always supported her glass through her Amazon Wish List, so she listed items needed for the project.
While the project started with students from the school’s welding classes and floral design, Wilson said every organization at the school made a ribbon and many community members stepped in to help make flowers for the mum.
Owen Cromwell, 16, a junior at Oak Ridge High School, said he was excited to be a part of the project and see the whole school get involved.
“It’s been a really fun experience, especially in my first year in floral design,” Owen said. “It’s been fun to see the process and it come together.”
Wilson said the mum needed to withstand rain so the flowers are made from plastic tablecloths. Wilson said there are more than 4,000 individual flowers on the mum spanning 25 feet in diameter. The ribbons, she said, extend 125 feet to 150 feet long.
The high school will debut the mum Friday night during its game against Caney Creek. Wilson said a land surveyor will be on-site to measure the mum so it can be submitted to the Guinness Book for consideration.
“It turned out great,” Wilson said. “It’s been pretty cool to see all the kids and the community come together. It’s a great thing.”
