MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The sounds of holiday carols and the melody of instruments echoed throughout Camp Pendleton’s base theatre during the Holiday Concert and Expo hosted by Marine Corps Community Services featuring the 1st Marine Division Band, Dec. 8.

More than 200 Camp Pendleton families attended the festive event that began with an outdoor expo that consisted of numerous activities such as a climbing wall, a paintball shooting booth, bounce houses and rides on ponies dressed as reindeer.

Fallbrook High School’s choir was also in attendance, entertaining the crowd by singing holiday carols.

“I was very impressed how well the children sang,” said Melisa Landacre, military spouse, Camp Pendleton. “They really put me in the Christmas spirit.”

Before going inside for the concert the children were delighted with a special appearance from Santa Claus.

“We were not expecting (Santa) to show up at all,” said Landacre. “This was a great surprise for my children.”

After the Santa meet-and-greet, families made their way to the base theatre to enjoy a performance by the 1st Marine Division Band.

The band played numerous holiday favorites from Holy Night to the Little Drummer Boy. To complement the sound of the band’s instruments, conductor Staff Sgt. Christi Espinoza laid down her baton for one song to perform a solo.  

“They are all so talented at what they do,” said Lance Cpl. Allen Moore, field wireman, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “It’s amazing how they all work together to make such amazing music.”

The 1st MarDiv band has put in countless hours of practice since October for this event to ensure that the families on base were given a night to remember, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Mathew Boatright, band master, 1st Mar Div Band.