MAIN held its first competitive season in the winter of 1996. The association was formed by a group of guard directors and instructors concerned with the future of the activity. MAIN looked to be the first color guard association in this area run by the guards themselves, as opposed to a judging association, as was being done in other parts of the country, Ten shows were held that season, the association had thirty-eight member units and thirty-two units performed at Championships. Our current membership includes guards from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland.