To kickoff the Homecoming festivities this year, the Student Alumni Ambassadors has the University ready to break a world record Saturday for the most handshakes at one time.

About 1,500 people are expected to attend the handshaking on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Green Street between Wright and Sixth streets.

“The record right now is 300 pairs, so we’re looking to shatter that record,” said Reid Thompson, vice president internal for Homecoming and junior in ACES.

While coaches and the Xtension Chords sing the Alma Mater, those in attendance will be asked to turn around and shake the person’s hand next to them.

“We wanted to do something unique, it’s the first time in a long time we have Kickoff on Green Street,” said Kickoff co-chair Brittany Koteles, sophomore in LAS.

Witnesses to verify the event will include members of the administration and the local police force. Regulations require that witnesses be leaders in the local community.

The University has also obtained the necessary paperwork to file with the Guinness Book of World Records. The event will also be documented through video footage and a physical count.

Koteles said the committee responsible for Homecoming Kickoff threw around ideas at a meeting on how to make this more publicized and decided on breaking a world record.

After conducting research on various types of world records, the committee decided they could break the handshakes number.

The inspiration for the record is also rooted in the Alma Mater statue that is shaking hands and is “in the spirit of Illini coming together for Homecoming,” stated on the Facebook group formed by Koteles.

“I just saw it on Facebook that seven of my friends were attending so I just clicked on it to see what it was. I’m not sure if my friends are going yet, but I did invite a bunch of people,” said Kelsey Medcalf, freshman in LAS.

Other students who plan on attending heard of the event and are spreading it through word-of-mouth.

“My friend Katie informed me of it and invited me on Facebook,” said Drew Heier, freshman in LAS. “I plan on inviting a lot of people on my floor.”

Admission is free to students, and food will be available from various restaurants along Green Street.

The event will also feature entertainment by Chicago band 7th Heaven.

“The main purpose of this event is to get the campus excited for homecoming,” Koteles said. “We’re really trying to make Homecoming and Kickoff big, to get people excited to be here as a student or alumni.”