The Event, a.k.a The Big Dance is on January 30-31, 2009. It goes from 7 p.m. on the 30th to 7p.m. on the 31st. This year The Big Dance will be held in the Main Lounge.

• What to bring

• Extra shoes, socks, flip flops, and comfortable clothes

• Toothbrush & toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Foot spray / powder / cushioned insoles

• Foot lotion

• Camera

• Small towel, soap, and toiletries

• Eye drops / contact supplies

• Ace bandages / supports / braces

• Small fanny pack

• Water bottle

• Personal medication




• What NOT to bring

• Jewelry and other valuables

• Watches (makes the time go faster)

• Squirt Guns

• Caffeine

• Balls / frisbees (We have lots of fun games at the event)

• Please tell your guests to leave balloons at home




• Before the dance

• Get a lot of sleep; while Dance Marathon is fun it is also exhausting. Sleeping plenty during the week leading up to Dance Marathon will make it easier to recover.

• Drinking alcohol will leave you dehydrated and fatigued, so take it easy for the few nights before The Big Dance. (The bars will still be there in a week!).

• Get all your homework done. You will need the Sunday after Dance Marathon to rest and recuperate.

• The day of Dance Marathon, eat food that is high in carbohydrates and drink lots and lots of water.

• Stay away from caffeine, sugar, and most importantly alcohol during the week before The Event.




• During the dance

• Drink plenty of fluids. You are going to sweat. Water will be available at all times. Dance Marathon is caffeine-free so please tell your visitors to remember this if they bring you treats.

• Wear your Dance Marathon T-shirt as much as possible (especially during opening and closing) unless you are wearing a Dance Marathon T-shirt for the group you are dancing with.

• Wash your face and brush your teeth often. This will help wake you up.

• Stretch and keep moving.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Take advantage of foot massages. Do not worry about how you look!

• Play with the kids, talk to other Dancers, take pictures, have a great time and before you know it, Dance Marathon will be over.

• Visitors

• Tell your friends and family about Dance Marathon! Visitors can be a great way to boost your morale. There is no admission fee, but donations at the door are appreciated and go directly to Dance Marathon; however, visitors are only allowed during specific hours of the event.

• May I leave early? May I come back?

• In short: no and no. If you need to leave during the event, you MUST speak with the Event Director (for liability purposes) prior to leaving. If a medical problem or other situation will prevent you from participating in the marathon in its entirety, contact your Morale Captain. Special situations will be handled on a case by case basis.