Dance Marathon, a 32-hour philanthropic event organized by Bowling Green State
University to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, returns to campus
this weekend.
The 17th annual event begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center and
continues through 6 p.m. on Sunday.
To date, BGSU Dance Marathon has raised more than $2.5 million for the hospitals to
help children.
While an exact goal for this year’s fundraising efforts has not been released, Dance
Marathon Director Sarah Swegan said she is "100 percent confident we are
going to exceed last year’s total."
Last year, $217,000 was raised, which represented a 60 percent increase from 2010.

BGSU’s Dance Marathon directly supports Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo.
Swegan said even more so, in comparison to years past, the campus, community and
students have rallied around Dance Marathon and its cause.
Many students, Swegan said, are drawn into Dance Marathon by friends who are
involved.
"Once they see the passion their peers have for this, they want to get
involved," Swegan said.
And having the Miracle families and children at Dance Marathon also is a big
motivator for students.
"They get to see who they are helping and know how they are helping,"
Swegan said.
This year, nine different teams are paired up with Miracle families.
"Welcome to the Jungle" is the theme for this year’s event. The theme is
based off a former children’s game show, "Legends of the Hidden
Temple."
Teams will be known as the Red Jaguars, Blue Barracudas and Green Monkeys, for
example, names which come from the game show.
The incorporation of the game show theme was something organizers felt both college
students and the Miracle children can relate to, Swegan said.
Over course of the two-day event, many smaller events are incorporated to keep
participants pumped up and going.
An always popular activity, Swegan said, is the rave. During the middle of the night,
all the lights are turned off at the Student Recreation Center, rave music is
pumped through the speakers and glow sticks are handed out.
Themed hours like Harry Potter hour, 80s hour, alumni hour and a talent show for
students and for the Miracle children also take place and the families and
children also get a chance to speak.
Throughout the event, participants are taught a 16-minute line dance. They learn it
piece-by-piece and by the end of the marathon, they all perform it together in
its entirely.
Organizers this year decided to bring in lights, sound and a projector screen.
"We are going for a more professional look," Swegan said.
Part of the reasoning for increased technical support, Swegan said, is because the
cast from MTV’s "The Buried Life" will be in attendance and a comedian
will be performing during the event.
Closing ceremonies will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. During that time, the
Miracle families are present and the bikers have returned from their ride from
Cincinnati to Bowling Green.
"That is a really emotional time for everyone," Swegan said.
The bikers also raise money for Dance Marathon and ride 60 miles today, Saturday and
Sunday back to Bowling Green.