During the game, the opening ceremony will feature performances from Charlotte Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band, and a repelling performance from CFD High
Angle Rescue Team and CMPD Swat. The national anthem will be performed by the Opera Carolina Chorus. During the intermissions, there will be special ceremonies honoring OUR HEROES of present and past. The kick off for the festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6 with a pep-rally at the Wachovia Plaza on South Tryon Street during which the Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band will perform. Also performing is Noah Rice Tenor from Opera Carolina. In addition several special vehicles will be on displayed including the Checkers Autotrader.com Zamboni, Time Warner Cable Hands Helping Heroes Truck. During this event, the players of the Heroes game will be unveiling their Hockey Sweaters for the upcoming Heroes game. Each year, a different sweater is designed so that they can be sold or auctioned at different public service charity events to help raise additional funds. After the Checkers game on March 8, the 4th Annual Salute to Heroes game between CMPD/MCSO versus CFD/MEDIC will take place. Last year, the Police and Sheriff’s team won by a score of 4-3 in front of a crowd of almost 3,000 which remained to watch after the Checkers game. CFD/MEDIC lead the over all series 2-1.