The two North Delta women who organized Surrey's first attempt Wednesday to create the world's largest human peace sign aren't daunted by the poor turnout.

Only 625 people gave peace a chance.

A cynic might say it was a bust, but for Joy Ross and Patricia Connor the attempt was anything but.

At least 5,815 participants were needed to defeat the current world record of 5,814, set at the Ithaca Festival in New York in 2008.

A small airplane circled overhead to photograph the human peace sign. "What's really important for us isn't so much the numbers, it's to get a really good photograph to make the calendars," Ross said.

The 2013 calendars, she said, will be sold to raise cash for the Mercy Ships foundation, whose hospital ships bring free medical care to impoverished nations.

"If we get a picture for the Mercy Ships calendar, we did it."

Surrey's event was held at 1:30 p.m. on the field near Cloverdale's Millennium Ampitheatre.

In the minutes leading up to the sign's formation, it was clear the record would not be broken. Still, Ross and Connor were all warm smiles.

"As long as we can walk and breathe and talk, we'll be doing the annual peace sign event," Ross vowed. "Maybe move it from area to area, for fun."

Next year they're aiming for a Sunday.

Participant Lynn Verra-Lay read about the attempt on Facebook, "It's a unique thing to do," she decided. "It has to start somewhere."

Linda, who asked that her last name not be published, lives a few blocks from the park. She said she read about the event in the newspaper. "I thought that's really cool, I should go to that."

Of the turnout, she said, "I'm kind of disappointed. I personally believe had there been more advertising in the community, there would have been a bigger show."

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com