Entertainment
The Historic Half searched for the hottest local and regional musicians, performers and cheer squads to entertain along the 13.1 mile course on May 16 in Fredericksburg, Virginia and found a variety. 
Please mail samples to:
Marine Corps Historic Half
Attention: Tami Faram
PO Box 188
Quantico, VA 22134
For additional information, please contact Tami Faram, Public/Community Relations Coordinator at tami.faram@usmc.mil or 703-432-1840
2010 ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDES:
Along Those Lines
With a quaint hometown attitude and an explosive stage show, Along Those Lines has been hailed by their fans as one of the best new acts to follow. Mixing hard rock, alternative, and metal has never felt so good for this Fairfax, VA-based band. A year after the release of the fast selling Along Those Lines EP, the band has set its sights on dominating the music scene of every area they play. You’re guaranteed to like what you hear at the Marine Corps Historic Half!
Blue-Gray Therapy Dogs
Blue-Gray Therapy Dogs are certified therapy dog teams who share love and provide comfort to the surrounding community through a variety of animal-assisted therapy programs and activities. Founded in 1996, the group has over 80 participating teams in Fredericksburg and the surrounding areas. Look for the Therapy Dogs Petting Station along the Historic Half course!
Doug Marshall Band
Doug Marshall’s band of talented musicians are fresh, spontaneous and fun and are bringing the sounds of Blue Grass to Fredericksburg. This Fredericksburg-based group performs guitar, string bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and Dobro with a colorful musical combination. Although new to the Historic Half roster this year, the Doug Marshall band is a returning performer to the Marine Corps Marathon each year.
Fifes and Drum of Fredericksburg
The Fifes and Drum of Fredericksburg is steeped in tradition. Fifes and Drum were an integral part of the 18th Century military. Colonial Virginia trained its Fife and Drummers to work with soldiers in the field. The Fifes and Drum of Fredericksburg includes a half dozen interpreters of the American Revolution and Civil War periods, who carry on the heritage of their colonial brothers-in-arms.
The Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club
Look for the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club at the Historic Half. Established in 1995, the club has about 50 members who gather for community service projects. They participate in cruises for wounded soldiers and for young cancer patients. Car club members also participate annually to help needy families during the holidays. “Giving back is our passion,” says club president Sue Wilson.
In Remembrance
With their hard-driven alternative sound, In Remembrance performs while honoring fallen soldiers. After having lost his brother, Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, lead singer Nick Letendre started In Remembrance to remind their audience of the fallen armed service men and women. In Remembrance performs in the local region and at military bases across the country, while donating 10 percent of their profits to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
Maranatha Touring Choir
The Maranatha Touring Choir is an Interdenominational Christian Choir which began in 1972 and is currently composed of young members from more than 40 churches, 15 schools, 10 colleges and universities and home-schooling families. The Maranatha Touring Choir has performed in over 130 cities, in more than 30 states and Canada with some 2,000 young people and over 100 adult leaders participating -- including generations of families.
Melissa Tardiff Dvorak
The featured harpist for the 55th Presidential Inauguration, Melissa Tardiff Dvorak will lend her beautiful classical sounds for Historic Half runners passing Mile 6 on Washington Ave., near the historic Kenmore Plantation. Spectators will also enjoy Dvorak, who is a soloist and chamber music musician performing in Greater Washington D.C., in a variety of events from the U.S. Supreme Court and Kennedy Center, to the U.S. Naval Academy and DAR Constitution Hall. Her orchestral appearances include Washington National Opera, National Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony, Arlington Symphony and Salisbury Symphony.
In addition, Dvorak has performed with the Anne Murray and Connie Francis Touring Bands, the Mambo Kings and at the world premiere of the hit movie "Gods and Generals."
Parrot Heads in Paradise
The Parrot Heads will sail into the Historic Half on their pirate float entertaining runners and spectators with music from the Caribbean. They will be located in historic downtown on Caroline Street on race day. As the local chapter of Parrot Heads in Paradise, Inc., The Rappahannock Area Parrot Head Club is a nonprofit, volunteer organization who's mission is to conduct and participate in fundraising, service and environmental activities that benefit the local community.
Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society
The Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society was created to preserve the lives of 18th century citizens who thrived in the local area. The Society’s members research the customs, clothing, politics and pleasures of the colonial era. In addition to interpreting colonial citizens at historical sites in the area, they often entertain the public with colonial dancing. The Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society will perform Colonial Dancing on Caroline Street between Miles 7 and 8 on the Historic Half course.
Riverbend High School Jazz Band
The Riverbend High School Jazz Band performs at band concerts and community events in the Fredericksburg area. They have performed for the Fredericksburg Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon, and at a music festival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Annually, the Riverbend Jazz Band performs at local elementary and middle schools, as well as adult communities and nursing homes, The Jazz Band at Riverbend is comprised of students that elect to take a Jazz class during the school day, and the class is open to students by audition only. The Jazz class rehearses in a “Big Band” setting, and also breaks into smaller Jazz Combos.
Spotsylvania Pep Band
Spotsylvania High School’s Pep Band was formed eight years ago to support the girl’s and boy’s basketball teams. The band performs the school’s Fight Song and many other “pep” song including its newest additions of the songs “Allstar” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” The Pep Band also has performed for the University of Mary Washington’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. Look for the Pep Band performing along the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon course!
Stardust
Runners and spectators alike will want to "see for themselves" this beautiful painted horse that stands just over two feet tall! Stardust is a resident of the Patriot Paint Horse farm in Stafford, VA, who was rescued by her handler Claire Marble, through the United States Equine Rescue League. Stardust is a frequent visitor to local children’s hospitals, senior centers, patient's homes and MCM events!
University of Mary Washington Eagle Pipe Band
A traditional Scottish band and winner of the 2007 Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival, the Eagle Pipe Band is made up of UMW students and alumni who perform at a variety of local events. The band was founded in 1996 under the direction of Raymond Scott, Phd., University of Mary Washington professor of chemistry. The pipe band will perform during the opening pre-race ceremony. The pipe band’s musical repertoire includes original tunes traditional Celtic selections.
Winding Creek African Ensemble
The Winding Creek African Ensemble composed of 4th and 5th graders from Winding Creek Elementary School in Stafford, VA, specializes in studying and performing vocal and percussion music from the many cultures of Africa. The 26-member ensemble has performed at Stafford County’s New Teacher Institute, Greenfield Assisted Living, the Stafford County Fine Arts Festival, the 2009 Historic Half, 2009 RunStock 5K and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
