Hundreds of preschoolers and preschooler-impersonators threw water balloons at each other Sunday afternoon, and I’m proud to say I was among them.

The event, put on by Fishers Pointe Cooperative Preschool and Fishers Parks and Recreation, was intended to break the Guinness record for World’s Largest Water Balloon Fight. In that capacity it fell short — due to inclement weather, they didn’t quite get the required 964 participants.

In every other respect though, whether you go by balloons hurled (nearly 25,000), shirts drenched or overall resemblance to an out-and-out gleeful melee, it succeeded mightily.

Have you seen the beginning of Saving Private Ryan? Picture that, without blood or death or any threat of injury. Even the direct head-shot I incurred did nothing but confuse me for a second, and a later crotch soaking hurt only my pride.

“For this many people to turn out on a day like this, I think it’s great,” reported Toni Cahlamer, a teacher and a parent at the preschool. “We had a lot of fun.”

Proceeds from the 2005 “World’s Largest Water Balloon Fight” support the Fishers Pointe Cooperative Preschool and the St. Vincent Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. For more info or to inquire about helping with next year’s event, visit www.fisherspointecoop.org.