What happened to all the entertainment?

[lindybug]

What a great Half today!

But, where was all the entertainment? When I ran 2 years ago, there were countless rock, country, and school bands, a gospel choir, and other street performers. Today, most of the course was empty! I think I saw 2 marching bands, 2 groups of cheerleaders, and a lounge singer and that's it! I don't mind, just was surprised. Did the acts cancel due to weather, or is Disney toning down the race?

 

[Started_With_A_Mouse]

You are right. This is only my second 1/2 marathon and I was a little disappointed in regards to the entertainment. Last year there was much more. Granted the weather was not desirable, but if we were out there in the cold, they could have made araingements for the muscians i.e. heaters , tents, ect.

 

[cewait]

I am sure the weather was the issue. They did have heaters at many of the entertainment locations (even the ones without entertainment there today). Regardless, since they are all volunteers do you really blame them? I am not sure I would have been out there if i didn't have an interest in the race. OK well maybe I would.

As far as Larry the Lounge Lizard I am 100% sure his act sounded really good early Saturday as the bars were closing from Friday night

 

[lindybug]

LOL Charles. Larry was getting heckled pretty badly from the runners around me. Poor guy... At least he showed!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The school groups may not have been permitted to travel on a school trip due to the weather. With the forecast and warnings of icy roadways in Orlando--had this been a school day, I have no doubt that it would have been cancelled with the morning forecast. When that happens, typically a school sponsored trip would fall to the wayside.

It's a bummer--but us Floridians are not used to the cold and standing in the cold for 4 hours is likely something that most school groups are not prepared for.

 

[TnTsParty]

I agree there wasn't much entertainment - I blame it on the weather but I did see the gospel choir at the end - was I imagining it or were they there.

 

[Sandy321]

I agree there wasn't much entertainment - I blame it on the weather but I did see the gospel choir at the end - was I imagining it or were they there.

when I went by - they were "memorex" not live!! It was still good, and gave me a push!!

I loved the High School Group at Hess Station - they stood under the canopy - and had a portable heater -

there were several High School Cheerleaders - I would love to send a thank you to those schools, and those kids that came out - it was brutal and their spirits were so uplifting - they didnt have to be out there!

 

[Hey Mickey]

I totally agree -- it was a brutal day and a brutal race, so i can understand some of the folks not being there (especially the school groups) but really appreciated those that did make it. And that golden choir at the end! Its what gets me through those last couple of miles every time, so I am glad I got the live version. But I felt a little guilty for it since i am a back of the pack type and they looked like they had been standing in the freezing rain for hours.

 

[Cruella de mom]

My daughter plays trombone and it is bad for her instrument to be in the extreme cold - I imagine thats why the entertainment was sparse.

Congratulations to all of you that braved the miserable weather to run.