FOLEY, Ala. - In hopes of setting the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest ever dessert party, Tanger Outlet Centers across the country celebrated the company's 30th anniversary Thursday with dancing, singing and tasty dessert treats.

The Foley location was no different, with a total of 553 residents hoping to grab a quick snack and help a local business celebrate and achieve a goal.

Residents began piling into the tent located in the center of the outlet center at around 1:30 p.m., and at 2 p.m. everyone took a bite of dessert, whether it be a cookie, cupcake or brownie. The residents stayed for 15 minutes to make it an official count.

Many residents commented on how much fun they had at the party and how often they come to the outlet center, which is a shopping staple in South Baldwin County.

"I'm having a great time," Miranda Hance, of Gulf Shores said.

"We come up here quite often," Foley-resident Helen Couch said.

Tom Knighten, assistant manager of the Foley-based outlet center, said Steve Tanger, president of the national company, would ring a bell at the New York Stock Exchange today to end the session.

"All of the brokers on the floor are having dessert, too," Knighten said.

Jackie Sewell, general manager of the local center, said all 34 outlet centers across the country had the dessert party at the exact same time to make it a countrywide party.