ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico is going for a world record — but don't think of the athletic finesse and precision of the Olympic games.

Instead, New Mexicans will put their finger agility and string-tying skills to the test during an attempt to create the world's longest chile ristra using thousands of the state's red chile peppers.

The attempt, organized by the New Mexico Chile Commodity Commission and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, will take place Sept. 14 during the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, said James Ditmore, international marketing specialist for the NMDA.

"We're talking authentic New Mexico chile being used in a traditional way that represents our cultural roots," Ditmore said. "Plus, we're promoting a commodity we all love — our official state vegetable."

A ristra is the traditional method for drying red chile peppers in the dry Southwestern climate. The chile pods are tied together with string in an overlapping design and hung outside to dry before being used in red chile sauces and dishes.

Organizers are inviting all state fair visitors to take part in crafting the ristra, Ditmore said.

"Anybody can sign up to participate. We'll sign (the participants) in and once they complete certain stages of creating the ristra, we'll give them a Mardi Gras-type bead necklace with a chile on the end. We'll have a lot of fun," Ditmore said.

Witnesses and chile industry officials will be on hand to ensure the attempt follows Guinness World Records guidelines. The organizers will then submit the documentation to Guinness for consideration.

Guinness currently has a record on the books for the longest chile string, created by James Johnson of Rocky Mount, N.C., that measures 1,039 feet long and consists of 20,150 chile pods.

Jamie Panas, U.S. press and marketing assistant for Guinness World Records, said the record is based on the overall length of the string when laid out. Only red peppers can be used and the finished item must be hung to qualify.

After the ristra is complete, it will be draped and displayed around the agriculture building courtyard at the fairgrounds. Event sponsors will then have a chance to win the chile ristra and put it on display at their business for a year, Ditmore said.




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