ContestsEventsThe Fanatic Pro Shop

LISTEN LIVE

97.5 The Fanatic Fan Fest 2023 In Photos

97.5 The Fanatic threw the best party the station has ever seen. Fan Fest 2023, the 10th annual celebration, took place at Xfinity Live on Saturday, August 26. Fanatic hosts,…

Dawkins joked that his biceps are a result of extra time to workout in retirement. He looks like he could still take out a wide receiver today if he put on the pads.

Colin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

97.5 The Fanatic threw the best party the station has ever seen. Fan Fest 2023, the 10th annual celebration, took place at Xfinity Live on Saturday, August 26.

Fanatic hosts, staff, and listeners enjoyed one of the best traditions the station has. Celebrity guests included Nick Foles, Brian Dawkins, Darren Sproles, Scott Hartnell, Keith Jones, Lou Williams, and Paul Reed.

Fall Out Boy and Rae Sremmurd rocked the FanDuel stage to cap off the festivities on Saturday afternoon.

Fan Fest 2023

A beautiful day at the sports complex in South Philadelphia started with a barrage of guests lining up outside the gates to enter the event.

Fanatic listeners showed up in an exciting display of Philadelphia sports fandom. An estimated 10,000 people joined in the festivities. 

The loud chants of E-A-G-L-E-S swept through the parking lots the entire day. The crowds quickly flooded Xfinity Live on a memorable afternoon (with no fights for the 10th consecutive time)!

The Fanatic Stage

John Kincade got the festivities going by introducing the Fanatic personalities on the stage outside Xfinity Live. Anthony Gargano stepped up to fire up a crowd hungry to see the Philadelphia Flyers back in the conversation in the local sports landscape.

Bob Cooney, Tyrone Johnson, and Matt Cord ignited the crowd during conversations with Lou Williams and Paul Reed. FanDuel’s Lisa Kerney spoke with Foles, Dawkins, and Sproles.

The special guests captured the love affair with the 76ers, the longing for competitive playoff hockey, and the outrageous passion for the Eagles that characterizes the city of Philadelphia.

The heroes of the Philadelphia fan base talked about their experience in the city, their relationship with the fans, and the outlook of the local teams in 2023. 97.5 The Fanatic is proud to have thrown such an incredible party to show appreciation for the listeners that help the station run every day.


Enjoy the best photos from Fan Fest 2023:

Fan Fest 2023

20230826_112851865_iOS-1.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

97.5 The Fanatic was thrilled to throw the 10th Fan Fest. The set-up at Xfinity Live was the biggest yet.


Fans Waiting to Enter

Lineoutside-scaled.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

The line to get inside the event gates wrapped around the outdoor fencing and up towards Broad Street. An estimated 10,000 people attended Fan Fest.


Fan Fest 2023

20230826_150936559_iOS.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

97.5 The Fanatic listeners entered through the FanDuel gate. Some looked as fired up as Brian Dawkins coming out of the tunnel at the Linc.


Philadelphia Eagles Fans

FanFest10.png

The city is pumped for another shot at a Super Bowl. Masses of fans showed up in Birds gear, whether it was the Kelly Green or the Midnight Green.


Franklin

FanFest9.pngErin Carty for BBGI Philadelphia

Franklin of the Philadelphia 76ers showed up for the team's flagship station. The Sixers had a court set up in the parking lot at Xfinity Live.


Philadelphia Sports Fans

Addition1.jpgErin Carty for BBGI Philadelphia

Philly fans like to represent their teams. They showed up wearing some of the best gear you'll ever see.


FanDuel Fields

IMG_3251.jpgErin Carty for BBGI Philadelphia

The FanDuel set-up included interactive games and spectacor events.


The Scene at Xfinity Live

FanFest16.pngColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

The parking lots at Xfinity Live featured interactive games, sponsored tents, prizes, and photo opportunities. The Lombardi Trophy and a life-sized Brian Dawkins bobblehead made it on quite a few Instagram accounts.


Let's Go Flyers!

HartnellJonesAnt.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Anthony Gargano introduced Scott Hartnell and Keith Jones. The city of Philadelphia misses playoff hockey, and they showed it with a loud "Let's Go Flyers!" chant.


Gritty

20230826_160936704_iOS.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

It's never a party until Gritty shows up. The notorious Flyers mascot stole some of the attention from Hartnell and Jones.


Lou Williams

20230826_185637898_iOS-1.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Matt Cord delivered in his signature style to announce one of the most beloved 76ers of the 21st century. Lou Williams is the NBA's all-time leader in points scored off the bench.


Paul Reed

20230826_182719045_iOS-1.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

We found out how "B-Ball Paul" started: a simple grade school nickname that stuck into Reed's career in the NBA.


Darren Sproles

20230826_163820913_iOS-1.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Sproles spoke admirably about overcoming adversity as an undersized NFL running back who had to silence critics over a 15-year career. He made his only three career Pro Bowls as a member of the Eagles.


Brian Dawkins

20230826_192745936_iOS-1.jpgBrendan Petrilli for BBGI Philadelphia

He was the emotional leader of the Philadelphia Eagles who played every game like it was his last. Very few athletes in any city command as much respect as Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia.


Brian Dawkins

20230826_193221067_iOS.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Dawkins joked that his biceps are a result of extra time to workout in retirement. He looks like he could still take out a wide receiver today if he put on the pads.


Nick Foles at Fan Fest 2023

Foles2.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Nick Foles discussed his appreciation for the Philadelphia fans and the outlook for the 2023 Eagles. He even played along with a question about a possible comeback to the NFL.


Nick Foles

20230826_191437193_iOS.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Any crowd in Philadelphia melts at the sight of Nick Foles. As always, there were some chants complimenting his manhood.


Fall Out Boy

20230826_200406848_iOS-1.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

The FanDuel stage featured the musical headliner at 4pm to cap off the event. Fans could barely move through a packed crowd at the outdoor show.


The Crowd Inside Xfinity Live

XFinityinside-scaled.jpgColin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Xfinity Live was packed early. The crowd enjoyed a few cold drinks and the best party 97.5 The Fanatic has ever thrown.

Colin Newby is a contributor for 97.5 The Fanatic who transitions Beasley Media's radio content onto digital platforms. His work includes on-site coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Phillies.