The Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band, stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, will perform in the Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Gates open at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the Park until the lot is full with additional parking in Downtown Manteo. Handicap parking will be available at the Park. Pack up the lawn chairs, blankets and picnic and bring family and friends and join us as our nation celebrates.
This ensemble of Marine musicians completes over 150 commitments annually and travels in excess of 30,000 miles. Throughout their travels, they uphold the old and honored Marine traditions of pride, professionalism, and esprit de corps. Consisting of 51 Marine Musicians, the 2nd MAW Band is a highly trained and versatile musical organization. The band is capable of performing in a multitude of settings, ranging from its primary mission as a ceremonial unit, to other ensembles such Concert Band, Jazz Band or Big Band, Show Band, Jazz Combo, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, and Woodwind Duo.
Since 1941, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band has supported the Wing by performing at well over 50,000 events including both military and civilian ceremonies, formal concerts, community celebrations, parades, festivals, and public relations tours. The band received Certificates of Commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1973 and 1985. Additionally, the band received Meritorious Unit Citations in 1972 and 1984 for excellence in the performance of duty.
The band has made appearances at the Cotton Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, Miss America Pageant Parade, numerous Mardi Gras Parades, and the International Marine Tattoo in Rochester, NY. Annual events include the Memorial Day Parade in Dearborn, MI and formal concerts in Bridgeport, CT at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, and the 4th of July concert in New Bern, NC. The band has also appeared internationally in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean, Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Iceland, France and Haiti. On one of these tours, the band had the distinct honor of performing for the Queen of Denmark and Prince Edward of Great Britain. For more about information about the July 4th performance visit roanokeisland .com or call (252) 475-1500.