KNOXVILLE - Small groups of volunteer dancers scattered across the globe - including two sites in East Tennessee - helped break a world's record over the weekend while raising cash for charities as part of the "Thrill The World" event, officials said today.

Approximately 23,000 people in 32 countries - including 84 on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville and 63 at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg - simultaneously danced to Michael Jackson's 1980s pop hit "Thriller," according to organizers of the event.

The previous record, which was set last year, had been 4,179 people, officials said in a press release.

"I am really excited, I can't believe we had such a huge turnout for our first event in Knoxville," said Lacey Hubbs, who helped put together the Knoxville event. "Next year will be even bigger and better. We also raised $120 for the American Cancer Society, which was great because we were only asking for $1 from each participant."

The global event reportedly raised more than $100,000 for more than 80 non-profit groups and charities, officials said.

"In July 2009, following the death of Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones acknowledged 'Thrill The World' in an open letter to the media," according to a press release from Ines Markelle, who started the event in 2006. "He wrote, 'In every language on the planet, from prison yards in the Philippines to Thrilltheworld.com, that will be the beautiful, grand legacy of Michael Jackson.' "

Video of the Knoxville event can be viewed at "Thriller" video

More details as they develop on knoxnews.com and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
Want to use this article? Click here for options!