The Grand Ball Room of the Pacific Views Event Center here was filled with the laughter and the applause of more than 1200 base patrons as comedians and musicians displayed their talents at the Leatherneck Comedy Tour May 17.

The Single Marine Program sponsored event has made Camp Pendleton one of many stops around the globe as they also travel to places like Camp Lejeune, N.C., Okinawa, Japan and even Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

“This is a chance for the Marines out there to relax, unwind and get away from the daily routine,” said Rudy Rush, a comedian with the Leatherneck Comedy Tour.

An up and coming musician “Chiddy Bang,” who also holds the world record for the longest free-style rap, performed a few of his songs. To conclude the performance, the musician collected a list of 10 random topics from the audience and free-styled about them.

“They were talking about some funny stuff in there, but what really made my day is being able to get up on stage with Chiddy Bang,” said Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Guzman, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion here.

Guzman said he never thought he would end up on stage with Chiddy Bang when he first heard about the event. Guzman said he plans on attending more SMP events because of how much fun he said he had today.

This is the second year the Leatherneck Comedy Tour has visited Pendleton, and the performers, as well as some Marines and sailors said they look forward to the tour returning next year.

“After last year’s event, some of Camp Pendleton’s Marines began to follow me on Twitter, and I began to build relationships with these guys,” said Rush. “So if I can go out there and provide them with laughter and have those same guys come back and say, ‘Hey man, you’re really funny,’ that means the world to me.”

The Leatherneck Comedy Tour has performed from here to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in an effort to support and entertain Marines and sailors with a combination of comedy, music and dance.

The Leatherneck Comedy Tour will return here this summer at the School of Infantry July 19, and again at the Pacific Views Event Center Aug. 16.

For more information on the next Leatherneck Comedy Tour event on Camp Pendleton contact Marine Corps Community Services at http://www.mccscp.com/.