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At least 450 students will come together to show off their moves for a full 24 hours in the Campus Recreation Center for this year’s Cincinnati Dance Marathon.

The marathon is a 24-hour-long student dance party that benefits patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The event begins at noon on Saturday and continues through the night with events and games for students and their families.

This year’s CDM team has been working since the beginning of the school year to gain sponsors, plan the event and recruit students to participate as volunteers and dancers. Last year, more than 600 dancers participated, raising $25,000.

For the 2012 Cincinnati Dance Marathon, organizers hope for 800 dancers to help raise $30,000 for Children’s Hospital,which would make this year the event’s most successful yet.
“We’ll have registration tables around campus and on MainStreet on Thursdays,” said Mark Schutte, the CDM’s recruiting chair. “Everyone should sign up and bring your dancing shoes.”

Each hour will have a theme at this year’s marathon, ranging from country to rock music. Live DJ’s and musicians will play throughout the night to keep people on the dance floor. Participants will also have the option of competing against each other in dance-offs throughout the 24-hour time frame.

Other events include a rave, limbo and video game stations. Instructors will also be there to teach salsa and swing dancing lessons. Booths will be setup around CRC for students to take a break from dancing and participate in games or learn about things like the semester conversion.

“CDM was a lot of fun, and it was really touching to meet the kids we were dancing for, said Maria Savino, a second-year student. “I can’t wait to do it again this year.”
Food and drinks will also be provided at the event. Bruegger’s Bagels, as well as other restaurants have donated food. Local companies including Proctor and Gamble have donated prizes for the dancers too. Prizes in the past have ranged from free deodorant to jewelry from BCBG.

Provost Santa Ono and vice president of student affairs Mitchel Livingston will be speaking at the event, as will of the family members from the 29 families CDM benefits. Lucy the bearcat will also be making an appearance for one of the hours.

“[CDM] is a cause to bring together the whole UC community,” said Chris Hais, the overall chair for the event and has been involved in CDM for four years.

All student organizations are allowed to create a team to join, or students can make a group of just friends. Students are also permitted to sign up individually. Registration for the event costs $25.

Students who refer two friends to the event get $5 off their registration fee. Students do not have to stay the full 24-hours, but are encouraged to stay as long as possible.

More information about the event can be found at www.cincinnatidm.org. You can also find CDM on Facebook and Twitter @CincinnatiDM.