GATHERING OF “RYANS” RAISE MONEY FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER

Hundreds of Ryans gathered in New York City this past weekend for the second-ever “Rytoberfest,” a quirky celebration dedicated entirely to people who share the same first name. Hosted by the national group Ryan Meetup, the event took place at Torch and Crown in Union Square on September 15.

The playful festival isn’t just about beer and bonding—it’s also part of an ongoing attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering. That record currently belongs to 2,325 Ivans who assembled in Bosnia and Herzegovina back in 2017. This year’s Rytoberfest drew Ryans from across the country, and even as far as Australia.

While official attendance numbers are still pending, organizers confirmed that alternative spellings like “Rian” were welcome, though “Bryans” were firmly excluded. Beyond the fun, the event also supported the Ryan Callahan Foundation, benefiting families of pediatric cancer patients.