(August 22, 2011) BARTON, Vt. — What started out as a way to honor a hometown hero and boost interest in a county fair became a Guinness World Record on Wednesday as 298 Cadillacs from across the United States and Canada stretched for nearly a mile in a parade to open the Orleans County Fair in Barton, Vermont.

Lorie Seadale, superintendent for the Floral Hall Arts & Crafts department of the Orleans fair, cooked up the idea of the Cadillac parade as a way to increase awareness of the annual event and as a way to pay homage Barton’s own Henry M. Leland, who founded Cadillac in 1902.

“Our initial goal was for the fair but it’s become a dual-purpose event to honor Henry Leland’s legacy and contribution to this country with his inventions, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit,” Seadale said. “It’s great to bring the world record back the United States where it belongs.”

The previous record of 102 Cadillacs on parade was set on Aug. 18, 2002, in Leimuiderbrug, the Netherlands.

Doug Leland (left rear) and his wife Sally, descendants of Henry M. Leland — who founded Cadillac in 1902 — ride in the lead car

Several of Leland’s descendants still reside in the area and participated in the parade.

“He was a unique individual. They called him the 'Master of Precision' because he had such high standards,” said David Leland, great great nephew of Henry Leland and a resident of Shelbourne, Vt. “It's nice to see him recognized like this.”

The parade of Cadillacs included vintage cars through today’s CTS Coupe.

“Cadillac congratulates the residents of Barton and all of the Cadillac owners who participated in the parade for setting the world record in Henry Leland’s home town,” said Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler. “The success of this event demonstrates that Cadillac still fuels the same passions that Henry Leland inspired in the brand.”

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