Dozens of young patients, their families, and members of the community were thrilled Wednesday, May 28, by the daring stunts performed by some of the nation’s best freestyle Motocross riders at the 11th annual Big Air Kids Fair at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
The riders, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Scotty Stephens, and Kenny Bell, launched into the air from a ramp to gasps and cheers from the crowd. They performed backflips, twists, and other fearless aerial maneuvers before landing on a ramp in front of the hospital.
After the performance the riders and other members of the Motocross community posed for photos, signed autographs. They also visited children who could not leave the hospital, distributing toys and Moto gifts. 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.
One impressed member of the audience was motocross enthusiast Billy Hughes, PhD, who is also dean of the School of Pharmacy. He bought his first motorcycle at age 12 and has been riding ever since—currently on a Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke when he has time to make it out to single tracks and fire roads near Lake Silverwood.
The show, he says, “was spectacular. Those guys are good.” Hughes also observed the children’s reactions, noting that as the jumps and tricks got more impressive, the looks on their faces became more and more excited.
The children’s faces further lit up, Hughes says, when the motocross riders interacted with them. “It was a lot of fun to watch the spark in the kids’ eyes.”
Steve Bauer, former professional Motocross rider who founded Big Air Kids Fair in 2003, expressed thanks to the patients and their families who were in attendance.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for the members of the motorcycle industry to give back to the community that supports it,” he said, “and helps us give some young patients a reason to smile.”