Fire Truck Rides and Motorcycle Stunts At Hero Thrill Show In South Philly

by Alex Lloyd Gross

Yesterday there was a ton of fun to be had at the sports complex. Forget the Ed Sheeran show at the Linc, at the parking lot across the street, there was the annual Hero Thrill Show. The event kicked off about 1:00 PM after some speeches and photos during the introduction to the event.

The Police K-9 Unit was showing what the dogs can do. They can take down bad guys, sniff out drugs and guns and find missing people. Some of that was put on display yesterday, with simulations. Police dogs from all over the Delaware Valley, were there, with their human handlers.

While this was going on, The Fire Department was giving rides on Engine 12, which is in Roxborough/Mannyunk. Kids ( and adults) could sit in the passenger seat and work the siren and air horn, as the truck was driven around the closed off parking lot.

To be honest, this event gets smaller every year. There used to be static displays and tables set up by Homeland Security, Community Relations and different units in the police department. There was still a tent to buy items, like pins and t shirts. Prices were not that unreasonable.

The largest draw was the Marine Unit, the helicopter and the SWAT vehicle. The boat has a crawl space that kids can maneuver through but adults might find it tricky. In addition to going through the SWAT truck was the opportunity for people to try on SWAT gear.

When the motorcycle drill team started their tricks and stunts, people stopped what they were doing and watched. There needs to be food vendors there. Set up a grill and cook hamburgers and hot dogs. There was free food (sandwiches) but they were gone in 20 minutes. People get hungry. If you want them to stay, you have to feed them. Part of the proceeds can fund the event, which benefits education for the families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.