MONTERREY, Mexico -- More than 9,000 children embraced each other in a long row for longer than a minute in Monterrey Thursday to celebrate Valentine's Day and set a new Guinness World Records mass hug mark, a local mayor said.

"More than breaking a record, it's a matter of showing affection on this February 14, the day of love and friendship," said Cristina Diaz, mayor of Monterrey's Guadalupe suburb.

"Guinness record authorities are here with us to certify that in all there were 9,402 children locked in the biggest hug in the world," she added.

The event took place in the city's Tolteca Park, where the children in a massive, snaking hug beat out the previous "biggest hug" record set by more than 6,000 children in northern Chihuahua state.

"We paid 300 (British) pounds ($590) to register with the Guinness World Records, and with this hug we want to promote love, friendship and solidarity. That's the most important thing," said Diaz, as the kids celebrated by tossing their coats in the air.