Up, Up and Away!: Riders Gather to Show Support

It isn’t every day that famous Freestyle Motocross, or FMX riders, come out to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital to perform high-flying stunts in the hospital’s parking lot, but that is exactly what happened on May 28th for the 11th annual Big Air Kids Fair. The popular annual event was greeted with a large crowd of spectators that included patients, doctors, hospital employees, local families, and casual fans. The program was sponsored by Smooth Industries, Field Entertainment and Fox Racing and was made possible by program creator and former professional Motocross rider Steve Bauer. A visit to Loma Linda in 2003 inspired Bauer to create the Big Air Kids Fair, which has grown substantially throughout the years. He addressed the crowd before the event, giving thanks to the nurses and doctors for encouraging and supporting the children patients were brought down from their rooms for the special occasion. In addition to those watching from the lawn, many hospitals workers and patients enjoyed the event from the hospital's windows and roof. Members of the LAPD were also in attendance to make a $500 donation to the hospital, made possible by generous donations. The riders, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Scotty Stephens, and Kenny Bell, launched into the air from a ramp to gasps and cheers from the crowd, and performed back flips, twists, and other fearless aerial maneuvers, before landing on an awaiting ramp, in front of the hospital. The team landed their tricks with ease every time—a testament to the skill of the riders. Announcer Andy Bell, from MTV's Nitro Circus provided commentary for the event, hyping up the crowd and boosting morale. Fitzpatrick expressed the similarities he has in common with the patients, admitting that through the sport he has spent his fair share of time in the hospital. “I’ve been a similar position as you guys with my line of work,” stated Fitzpatrick to the audience with a laugh. After the performance, the riders, along with other members of the Motocross community, posed for photos, signed autographs, and visited the units of patients who could not come out, and distributed toys and Moto swag. The visiting Motocross stars and special guests included: Andy Bell, Ricky James, Sara Price, Trey Canard, Will Hahn, Zach Osborne, Justin Bogle, Kyle Cunningham, Cole Seely, and Blake Baggett. As a third year med student, and first time attendee of the event, Jess Harmon was impressed by the riders. "I think it's awesome," expressed Harmon who watched the riders with a large group of her fellow med students, "It's really cool that they all came out for us today." As a doctor at the hospital, Jo Anderson understood the spirit of the event and how it made the children patients feel, stating, "This show brought a smile to these kid's faces. It's a great, much needed change from clocks, walls and nurses."