Yes, please,
for cheese (steaks)

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

In its heyday, the city-produced Hero Thrill Show used to pack in the fans at the old JFK Stadium in South Philadelphia.
Police and fire teams would use their apparatus and skills to wow spectators with various demonstrations.
"As a kid, I used to love that," said Somerton’s Mike Foley, a fireman stationed at Engine 11 at Sixth and South streets.
Proceeds from the shows, which started in 1955, would provide college scholarships for the children of police officers and firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty.
The impetus for the Hero Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia was a 1954 explosion at a chemical and oil manufacturer in North Philadelphia that produced poison gas. Ten firefighters were killed, and 23 more were injured. Two police officers were also injured.
After JFK Stadium was condemned, the shows moved to Veterans Stadium, the Civic Center and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Two years ago, following various complaints about the fund, Hero Thrill Show Inc. was created. The new organization, backed by the police and fire unions and attorney Jimmy Binns, produced shows in 2006 and ’07 in the parking lot of the Wachovia Center complex.
While the shows might never match the JFK Stadium spectaculars, organizers are telling Philadelphians that the "thrill is back."
"The Wachovia works," Foley said.
This year’s show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. There will be police and fire performances and amusement rides for kids, and WOGL (98.1 FM) personality Bob Pantano will host a Sounds of Philly Dance Party.
As a prelude to the show, Foley is organizing a "Cheesesteaks for Heroes" benefit this Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at SmokeEaters Pub, at Frankford and Sheffield avenues.
Foley will set up a restaurant-style griddle outside the bar —owned by fireman Brian Haughton — and serve cheesesteaks "wit or witout" onions, cheese whiz and pizza sauce. The suggested donation is $5. A DJ will play 1980s music throughout the day.
"I want to do a thousand sandwiches. That’s five-thousand dollars right there," said Foley, who thanks Amoroso’s for donating the rolls.
Foley has some experience making large numbers of cheesesteaks. He’s been part of a fire department softball team that has competed in an annual International Association of Fire Fighters fund-raiser in Prince George’s County, Md., for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Philadelphia firefighters feed the other teams and fans, with proceeds going to MDA.
On Friday, money will also be raised for the Hero Thrill Show Fund through a 50-50 drawing and a "Fill the fire bucket" campaign, with individuals collecting donations from motorists stopped at the traffic light at Frankford and Sheffield.
A large canopy will be set up, and folks can sit outside or in the bar while eating their cheesesteaks.
The Second Alarmers Association of Philadelphia, which provides assistance to firefighters during emergency calls, will be on hand.
The beer truck used by the Philadelphia Blue Flame football team will be parked at the curb. The Hook and Ladder Brewing Company girls will pose for pictures and distribute giveaways.
In addition, Foley has advised guests at his 40th birthday that night in the SmokeEaters basement to make donations to Hero Thrill Show Inc. in lieu of presents.
Foley, soon to be promoted to lieutenant, hopes the day will bolster the Hero Thrill Show Inc. fund. The need is there, he believes.
"Look at the price of college tuition for one kid and multiply that," he said. "You probably need a million dollars in the fund." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@philly.com

Say cheesesteak . . .

The "Cheesesteaks for Heroes" benefit will take place Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at SmokeEaters Pub, at Frankford and Sheffield avenues in Mayfair.
Cheesesteaks will cost $5, and all proceeds will go to Hero Thrill Show Inc., which provides college scholarships for the children of police officers and firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty.
The party will continue with a 1980s Hawaiian Shirt Gonzo Friday party, beginning at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the Sept. 6 Hero Thrill Show will be on sale. They cost $10 per person or $25 per family. ••