Germantown will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of flannel-wearing people when the second annual Philly Flannel Fest returns to the Braid Mill co-working space on Nov. 3.

The free community festival, which drew 900 attendees last year, needs to attract more than 1,359 plaid-clad participants to officially claim the world record. 

While organizers aren't bringing in Guinness judges this year, they remain optimistic about surpassing the mark while celebrating local businesses and autumn festivities.

"Philly Flannel Fest is an amazing fall theme festival where everyone wears their coziest flannels and just comes together and enjoys our favorite things about the season," Robbie Long, founder of the local event production agency, LIVE 24HRS, told the Local. "We really are excited to be highlighting local small businesses, bands and bringing people together in the heart of Germantown."

Long, a Temple grad who grew up in Germantown and still lives in the neighborhood, organized the event, which saw a large turnout last year but fell a few hundred people short of breaking the world record. 

A self-described flannel wearer, Long sees flannels as a sign that the season is changing and fall is here.

"It just started as an idea, right? And then I did some research and I recognized, 'Wait, there's a Guinness Book of World Records for this?' And I said, 'Man, what if I could just get all my friends together to wear a flannel for a small party,'" Long said. "When I shared the idea, everyone loved it so much that I was like, 'Oh no, I should do an event on this,' so last year, it was our first attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records."

Long will need to increase last year’s turnout of about 900 people by about 33 percent to break the current world record. He believes they can do it. 

Long said bringing fun events to his hometown neighborhood is very important to him.

"Being born in Germantown, I came up on the other side, over on Haines Street and Stenton when I was younger. So for me, it's really important to show the love and show the light and show the greatness in Germantown that we have," Long said. "You know, sometimes the news can cloud up what's actually happening, so it's important to me to just show all of the beauty and the creatives and all of the great things that Germantown has and produces, all of Philly, really."

Matthew George, business development manager for Germantown United CDC, worked with Long to connect vendors and food trucks with event organizers and is always glad to see Germantown locals bringing activity to the neighborhood. 

"When everybody comes back home it's really great, because, for some apparent reason, everyone has either lived in Germantown or has family in Germantown," George told the Local. "He's such a good dude and wants to do that. He wants to help out those entrepreneurs, he wants to help out those communities that are underserved."

George also praised Braid Mill, a 40,000-square-foot, collaborative community space, featuring offices and open areas for events that opened in January last year. 

"Braid Mill has been a great partner, being a hub for communities and folks trying to just blossom that community growth," George said.

Braid Mill also hosted the event last year, and their co-founder, Seth Shipon, believes that they can break the record this time. Braid Mill tries to work with local businesses and organizations "as much as possible," Shipon said.

"We're just happy for the community to all get together, come out to Braid Mill, experience what we have going on here, experience Robbie and all his network and all just kind of come together to have a good day," Shipon said.

The event will feature a number of local food stands, including Young American Hard Cider & Tasting Room, and events such as storytime reading for kids and a performance by DJ MaiTai.

It runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, at Braid Mill, located at 346 East Walnut Lane. Interested attendees can get their free tickets at phillyflannelfest.com.

"During these tough times, events have been a great way to just help people get over loneliness and support each other and just have a great Sunday," Long said.