Look to the skies

The next few days will be packed with adventure as the Blue Angels return for the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival. If you've never been, now's your chance; you just have to get your tickets.

To kick things off, the Angels pilots make a special appearance at Tunes at Twilight this evening at Ivers Square in downtown Cape Girardeau before the big show Saturday and Sunday. There also will be free beer samples at Tunes.

Saturday and Sunday, after high-flying feats by the Angels, look up in the air for the U.S. Army Golden Knights; the Phillips 66 Aerostars; Skip Stewart; Shockwave Jet Powered Truck; Air Force A-10 Aerial Attack Demonstration; and Warbirds -- including the B-25, TBM, AD-5 and TP-40 Warhawk. You'll find most of the information below for all three days -- but check capegirardeauairfestival.com for updates.

At 9 a.m. today, though, take a leap off the edge -- with a safety harness, of course -- for a good cause. Hosted by United Way of Southeast Missouri, Over the Edge happens at Southeast Missouri State University.

Saturday evening, it's all about Cape Championship Wrestling at Shawnee Park Complex in Cape Girardeau. Round up the squad for a good time, and stick around for the main event: Jacksyn Crowley vs. "All Ego" Ethan Page.

But if the air festival and wrestling aren't your thing, take a trip to Knowlan Family Farm in Burfordville for a fun day of food trucks and family activities, all in memory of Maj. Garrett Knowlan. You also can stop by America's Wall in Perryville, Missouri, a full-scale black granite replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

Don't look down

United Way of Southeast Missouri is bringing Over the Edge to Cape Girardeau for the community's first urban rappelling event.

The not-for-profit has set a goal of $75,000 to help residentsof Southeast Missouri, while engaging new volunteers and donors, the organization says.

In partnership with Southeast Missouri State University, United Way invites the community to watch thrill-seeking "Edgers" rappel down Towers South, a 147-foot-tall residence hall located on the university's campus.

There also will be yard games, refreshments and music for spectators.

No previous experience is necessary, but Edgers must have raised $1,000 by today to rappel. Participants must weigh between 100 and 300 pounds and be at least 14 years of age, with a parent or guardian present. About 40 people are expected to rappel, including university president Dr. Carlos Vargas.

When: 9 a.m. today

Where: Towers South at Southeast Missouri State University at 1000 Towers Circle

More info: unitedwayofsemo.org/Over-the-Edge

Music, then sky time

Musician Paul Childers gets the season's first Tunes at Twilight started. The Nashville, Tennessee, native blurs the lines between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix with his guitar playing, according to his website.

Then participate in a meet-and-greet with members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. They will start working their way through the crowd around 6:30 p.m.

Minglewood Brewery, Ebb and Flow Fermentations, Cask Craft Spirits & Beer Lounge and Jackson Street BrewCo will provide beer samples. Baristas Coffee Bar will serve coffee samples.

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Ivers Square in downtown Cape Girardeau

How much: Free

More info: facebook.com/events/256192718665978

Up in the air!

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron -- the Blue Angels -- returns to the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival for the third time to demonstrate a variety of high-energy airborne aptitude.

The Angels consist of six pilots flying the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet to "showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps," according to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels website.

This year marks the team's 73rd anniversary and also the Blue Angels' 33rd year flying the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.

Event officials are preparing for a crowd of nearly 20,000, so get your tickets and be part of the fun!

Available parking: West Park Mall at 3049 William St.; Cape Girardeau Central High School at 1000 S. Silver Springs Road; QC Corp. at 5566 Nash Road in Scott City; Midwest Agri-Chemico Inc. at 4868 Nash Road in Scott City; Rhodes 101 Stop at 3508 Nash Road in Scott City; Animal Emergency Center at 3257 E. Outer Road in Scott City; and Lawless Harley-Davidson at 2100 E. Outer Road in Scott City. Shuttles will run every 5 to 7 minutes.

When: 11:31 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport at 860 Limbaugh Drive

How much: $15 in advance for adults, $20 at the gate; $10 in advance for ages 7-12, $15 at the gate; free for ages 6 and younger; $65 for premium seating (first 300 purchases get free VIP parking); $25 per ticket for reserved seating; $40 advance/$50 air show weekend (online only) for family four-pack (two children, two adults)

More info: capegirardeauairfestival.com

It's all mayhem

Like action? Then check out Cape Championship Wrestling's May Mayhem. Here's the lineup:

CCW Championship

• Jacksyn Crowley vs. "All Ego" Ethan Page

CCW Tag Team Championship

• Joey O'Riley and Brandon Barbwire vs. Brandon "ESPY" Espinosa and Dexter Roswell
• Dalton Anthony and Heath Hatton vs. K.C.'S Finest

Also:

• Justin "The Juice" Smart (with "Mr. 100" Seanán Young") vs. "The Nephilim" D'Mone Solavino
• "The Bite-Sized Brawler" Logan Stunt vs. "Best of the Best" Austin Lane

The event also features CCW Pure Openweight Champion Hollis Giroux, CCW Women's Champion "The Little Blue Dragon" Seishin and "Dirdy" Jake Dirden.

When: Doors open at 6 p.m., bell at 7 p.m., Saturday

Where: Shawnee Park Sports Complex at 1157 S. West End Blvd.

How much: $11 in advance, $13 day of show; $15 Front Row

More info: capewrestling.com

Show respect

Take the family to Missouri's National Veterans Memorial. The space is dedicated to honoring all of America's soldiers and their families.

The location's crowning achievement is America's Wall, a full-scale black granite replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

The Grand Opening Celebration will:

• Commemorate what we've accomplished
• Provide an opportunity for veterans and their supporters to come together
• Pay tribute to America's fallen heroes
• Educate attendees about the true cost of freedom
• Help lay the groundwork for future projects and events

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Missouri's National Veterans Memorial at 1172 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. in Perryville, Missouri

More info: mnvmfund.org/grand-opening.html

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632