MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- By definition, mania is a mental illness marked by periods of great excitement, euphoria, delusions and over activity, but for tens of thousands of service members, friends and families from Onslow County, it meant three days of lively music, festivities and fun in the sun.
Maynia marked the end of the school year, the beginning of summer and an occasion for military families to spend quality time together during Marine Corps Community Services annual festival at W.P.T. Hill Field aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Friday through Sunday.
Enthusiastic guests were treated to more than a dozen carnival rides, live music, games, delicious festival food favorites and ice-cold beverages to fight off the early summer heat.
Miss North Carolina, Hailey Best, attended the event and helped judge the Show Us Whatcha Got talent competition Saturday night.
“It’s really fun (being here for Maynia),” said Best. “As Miss North Carolina, I do a lot for military events, but they’re usually formal. Today, it’s good to see everyone in jeans, shorts, and tennis shoes just having fun, eating cotton candy and funnel cakes. It’s really nice to see them in a different light. They’re not so serious and in work mode but in play mode with their families.”
Cliff Swanhart, drummer with the “Dixie Driver Band,” said he appreciates the opportunity to be able to give back to the military community any way he can. Music is just one of those ways.
“I work for the military myself,” said Swanhart. “I work on Marine Corps Air Station New River at the flight simulator, and it’s still an actual thrill and honor to come out and play for the guys I work with everyday. We all support them, and the band enjoys the opportunity to serve the fine folks of the military. We’re really excited to be here today.”
Cpl. Arnie Youngblood, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, came out to Maynia with his family to get away from the norm and do something fun.
“I think it’s a good chance to get out of the house and do something different here in Jacksonville, especially for those Marines who have a high-deployment tempo,” said Youngblood. “Maynia is a great opportunity for people to go out with their families and have a good time.”
For more information about future MCCS events, visit mccslejeune.com.