Hero Thrill Show® celebrated 63 years of cool maneuvers and hot wheels
Annual day of entertainment, tradition, tribute & fundraising provides for the education of families of police & fire heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty was a roaring success.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – (Saturday, September 23, 2017) – It was a show of support and fun at the 63rd annual Hero Thrill Show fundraiser, last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot in South Philadelphia. Kids and the young at heart had an opportunity to be unofficial firefighters and police officers for a day, while enjoying the sights and sounds of carnival games, Boardwalk food and throw-back music from the 1970s.
The 2017 Hero Thrill Show raises funds from ticket sales and donations for the post high school educations of survivors of deceased police officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty.
“The Hero Thrill Show has been a proud tradition in our community for 63 years,” said Mayor Jim Kenney, son of a city firefighter who grew up near Second Street. “The show has paved the way for educational opportunities, allowing police and fire department families to attend trade schools, colleges and universities. The Hero Thrill Show is also a way to show our appreciation to first responders by sharing in a fun day with community.”
The Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team made a roaring grand entrance into Lot “H” to give a sneak preview of its mesmerizing daredevil stunts that they will perform -- with even greater fanfare – later in the afternoon. The police
motorcade will join an impressive display of fire engines from units citywide.
The event was hosted by Hero Thrill Show Inc. President/CEO James “Jimmy” Binns. The attorney, Darby Township Highway Patrol Officer, Motorcycle Drill Instructor and patron of police and fire personnel will lead an all-star lineup in a special day of tribute and tradition
The event began in a spectacular fashion, with the motorcycle procession of Hero Thrill Show participants led by the heralded Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team, which performs only at this show once a year. The motorcade led City Representative Sheila Hess in a side car -- followed by uniformed motorcycle officers from throughout the Delaware Valley.
“I remember from the time I was young child, how the Hero Thrill Show was such a major spectacle in our community when it came to South Philly,” said Hess, of Packer Park. “I can recall when it was held at the old JFK Stadium. The daredevil police motorcycles use to come thundering down the middle aisles that separated those rickety old bleacher benches.
City officials from the law-enforcement and firefighting communities, as well as sports cheerleaders and mascots, will be part of the festivities. With the backdrop of the Philadelphia Police-Fire & Sheriff’s Color Guard of 17 members, the kickoff will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem by Alberta Taliaferro, of Delaware County. (The singer is a relative of inspiring former Penn State football standout Adam Taliaferro.)
Rescue 1/Snorkel 2 (ladder company) -- the Philadelphia Fire Department’s elite firefighting unit -- unfurled the American flag 40 feet in mid-air above their fire apparatus during the National Anthem. The unit, wearing its signature black helmets, specializes in confined-space and water rescue.
A formal program followed featuring remarks by City of Philadelphia officials and the introduction of the Hero Thrill Show’s Grand Marshal Bob Pantano, radio personality and community champion who grew up in South Philly. Former and current Thrill Show beneficiaries and their families were present and acknowledged in the kickoff ceremony.
Hero Thrill Show organizer Binns said that all the activities recognize the heroism of our firefighters and police officers who sacrificed their lives for their communities. As a patron of law enforcement, Binns is founder of the Hero Cop Plaque and Hero Firefighters Plague programs throughout the Delaware Valley as well as various initiatives to secure funding for police equipment and vehicles in the Delaware Valley.
“This is truly a tribute to the legacy of our fallen police officers and firefighters who place themselves in harm’s way to protect the citizens of Philadelphia every day,” Binns said. “The Hero Thrill Show gives us a chance to honor their memory and extend our gratitude to the families of those brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. We do this each year by raising money to fund the college educations of families of our law-enforcement and firefighting heroes. Opportunities to connect the police and fire departments to the community -- while supporting the families of those dedicated individuals who served us bravely – are needed today more than ever.”
Joining Binns, Grand Marshal Pantano and City Representative Hess were: Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel; Police Commissioner Richard Ross; Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams; Thrill Show Grand Marshal and Boxing announcer Nino DelBuono; youth sports organizer and radio host Sonny Hill; Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team; Police K-9 unit; Police Mounted Unit; Philadelphia Police & Fire Color Guards, and local professional sports mascots.
The kickoff set the stage for a day of exciting activities including demonstrations and daredevil maneuvers and continued throughout the action-packed afternoon.
The Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team, K-9 Units from Delaware Valley-area police departments performed throughout the day. Kids learned about the various functions of Homeland Security/ S.W.AT and engage with equipment, displays of crime-fighting equipment by the Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Marine Unit, Firearms Instructors, Police Academy and S.W.A.T unit and about the young Fire Explorers (cadets in training).
Fans sat at the wheel of police-rescue helicopters, meet fire personnel, try on gear and take front-seat rides on fire engines. Audiences were impressed by performances showcasing fire apparatus and safety displays and demonstrations by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Special Operations Units and a live fire-suppression exhibition. Firefighters will perform in the “Firefighter Challenge,” a rescue exercise testing the strength and skills including reclining down ropes, moving through burning objects.
The event highlighted live music, tributes to Police Department personnel and local celebrities from The Bob Pantano Sound of Philly Show starring The Blue Notes performing its hits and a tribute to the Trammps, with Jimmy Lee and Night Fever Mayor Kenney joined the youth festivities at the fire trucks where children took rides on fire engines.
Ryder Simms, age 3, also participated in the activities in a police uniform in his motorized mini police car. Simms, who has learning challenges, was adopted as an honorary Philadelphia police officer by Police Commissioner Ross recently. Simms greeted and reunited with the commissioner at the annual Thrill Show Pep Rally in Center City last week.
Simms is shy, but lights up when he comes in contact with the police. He has gained confidence “to conquer the world,” from his interactions with the law-enforcement community, said his mother Alana. Young Simms’ grandmother, Cherie, gave him the car six months ago. He is on duty nonstop and likes playing in his yard in Swarthmore proudly wearing his uniform and “arresting people,” his mother notes.
The Hero Thrill Show marked the solemn anniversary of Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald death (9 years). The Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Team -- led by its commander Capt. John (Jack) Fleming and former Police Officer Rick Bowes (who shot McDonald’s fleeing assailant in the 2008 incident) along with the Hero Thrill Show’s Binns and Police Commissioner Ross -- paid tribute to McDonald’s legacy and to his family by presenting a bouquet of flowers to Patrick’s mother, Patricia “Patsy” McDonald.
McDonald, 30, a Northeast Philly resident, died in 2008 after he was fatally shot in North Philadelphia, following a routine traffic stop and an ensuing police chase. McDonald, an eight-year veteran of the force.
The students are furthering their educations through the assistance of full funding at mostly local colleges, universities and trade schools. Thousands of dollars have been raised for the educations of more than 20 students from police and fire department families since the Hero Thrill Show was incorporated under Binns’ leadership in 2006.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – (Saturday, September 23, 2017) – It was a show of support and fun at the 63rd annual Hero Thrill Show fundraiser, last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot in South Philadelphia. Kids and the young at heart had an opportunity to be unofficial firefighters and police officers for a day, while enjoying the sights and sounds of carnival games, Boardwalk food and throw-back music from the 1970s.
The 2017 Hero Thrill Show raises funds from ticket sales and donations for the post high school educations of survivors of deceased police officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty.
“The Hero Thrill Show has been a proud tradition in our community for 63 years,” said Mayor Jim Kenney, son of a city firefighter who grew up near Second Street. “The show has paved the way for educational opportunities, allowing police and fire department families to attend trade schools, colleges and universities. The Hero Thrill Show is also a way to show our appreciation to first responders by sharing in a fun day with community.”
The Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team made a roaring grand entrance into Lot “H” to give a sneak preview of its mesmerizing daredevil stunts that they will perform -- with even greater fanfare – later in the afternoon. The police
motorcade will join an impressive display of fire engines from units citywide.
The event was hosted by Hero Thrill Show Inc. President/CEO James “Jimmy” Binns. The attorney, Darby Township Highway Patrol Officer, Motorcycle Drill Instructor and patron of police and fire personnel will lead an all-star lineup in a special day of tribute and tradition
The event began in a spectacular fashion, with the motorcycle procession of Hero Thrill Show participants led by the heralded Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team, which performs only at this show once a year. The motorcade led City Representative Sheila Hess in a side car -- followed by uniformed motorcycle officers from throughout the Delaware Valley.
“I remember from the time I was young child, how the Hero Thrill Show was such a major spectacle in our community when it came to South Philly,” said Hess, of Packer Park. “I can recall when it was held at the old JFK Stadium. The daredevil police motorcycles use to come thundering down the middle aisles that separated those rickety old bleacher benches.
City officials from the law-enforcement and firefighting communities, as well as sports cheerleaders and mascots, will be part of the festivities. With the backdrop of the Philadelphia Police-Fire & Sheriff’s Color Guard of 17 members, the kickoff will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem by Alberta Taliaferro, of Delaware County. (The singer is a relative of inspiring former Penn State football standout Adam Taliaferro.)
Rescue 1/Snorkel 2 (ladder company) -- the Philadelphia Fire Department’s elite firefighting unit -- unfurled the American flag 40 feet in mid-air above their fire apparatus during the National Anthem. The unit, wearing its signature black helmets, specializes in confined-space and water rescue.
A formal program followed featuring remarks by City of Philadelphia officials and the introduction of the Hero Thrill Show’s Grand Marshal Bob Pantano, radio personality and community champion who grew up in South Philly. Former and current Thrill Show beneficiaries and their families were present and acknowledged in the kickoff ceremony.
Hero Thrill Show organizer Binns said that all the activities recognize the heroism of our firefighters and police officers who sacrificed their lives for their communities. As a patron of law enforcement, Binns is founder of the Hero Cop Plaque and Hero Firefighters Plague programs throughout the Delaware Valley as well as various initiatives to secure funding for police equipment and vehicles in the Delaware Valley.
“This is truly a tribute to the legacy of our fallen police officers and firefighters who place themselves in harm’s way to protect the citizens of Philadelphia every day,” Binns said. “The Hero Thrill Show gives us a chance to honor their memory and extend our gratitude to the families of those brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. We do this each year by raising money to fund the college educations of families of our law-enforcement and firefighting heroes. Opportunities to connect the police and fire departments to the community -- while supporting the families of those dedicated individuals who served us bravely – are needed today more than ever.”
Joining Binns, Grand Marshal Pantano and City Representative Hess were: Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel; Police Commissioner Richard Ross; Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams; Thrill Show Grand Marshal and Boxing announcer Nino DelBuono; youth sports organizer and radio host Sonny Hill; Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team; Police K-9 unit; Police Mounted Unit; Philadelphia Police & Fire Color Guards, and local professional sports mascots.
The kickoff set the stage for a day of exciting activities including demonstrations and daredevil maneuvers and continued throughout the action-packed afternoon.
The Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team, K-9 Units from Delaware Valley-area police departments performed throughout the day. Kids learned about the various functions of Homeland Security/ S.W.AT and engage with equipment, displays of crime-fighting equipment by the Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Marine Unit, Firearms Instructors, Police Academy and S.W.A.T unit and about the young Fire Explorers (cadets in training).
Fans sat at the wheel of police-rescue helicopters, meet fire personnel, try on gear and take front-seat rides on fire engines. Audiences were impressed by performances showcasing fire apparatus and safety displays and demonstrations by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Special Operations Units and a live fire-suppression exhibition. Firefighters will perform in the “Firefighter Challenge,” a rescue exercise testing the strength and skills including reclining down ropes, moving through burning objects.
The event highlighted live music, tributes to Police Department personnel and local celebrities from The Bob Pantano Sound of Philly Show starring The Blue Notes performing its hits and a tribute to the Trammps, with Jimmy Lee and Night Fever Mayor Kenney joined the youth festivities at the fire trucks where children took rides on fire engines.
Ryder Simms, age 3, also participated in the activities in a police uniform in his motorized mini police car. Simms, who has learning challenges, was adopted as an honorary Philadelphia police officer by Police Commissioner Ross recently. Simms greeted and reunited with the commissioner at the annual Thrill Show Pep Rally in Center City last week.
Simms is shy, but lights up when he comes in contact with the police. He has gained confidence “to conquer the world,” from his interactions with the law-enforcement community, said his mother Alana. Young Simms’ grandmother, Cherie, gave him the car six months ago. He is on duty nonstop and likes playing in his yard in Swarthmore proudly wearing his uniform and “arresting people,” his mother notes.
The Hero Thrill Show marked the solemn anniversary of Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald death (9 years). The Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Team -- led by its commander Capt. John (Jack) Fleming and former Police Officer Rick Bowes (who shot McDonald’s fleeing assailant in the 2008 incident) along with the Hero Thrill Show’s Binns and Police Commissioner Ross -- paid tribute to McDonald’s legacy and to his family by presenting a bouquet of flowers to Patrick’s mother, Patricia “Patsy” McDonald.
McDonald, 30, a Northeast Philly resident, died in 2008 after he was fatally shot in North Philadelphia, following a routine traffic stop and an ensuing police chase. McDonald, an eight-year veteran of the force.
The students are furthering their educations through the assistance of full funding at mostly local colleges, universities and trade schools. Thousands of dollars have been raised for the educations of more than 20 students from police and fire department families since the Hero Thrill Show was incorporated under Binns’ leadership in 2006.