SKY'S THE LIMIT DURING WEEKEND AVIATION EVENT

Cape Girardeau area residents are in for a high-flying treat this weekend. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels will perform their breath-taking aerobatics at the Aviation Days air show Saturday and Sunday at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport.

The famed squadron last performed here in 1983.

Getting the return engagement was no small feat. The Blue Angels are only doing 32 shows this year, and 16 of those are in Europe. Cape Girardeau is one of the few Midwest sites where the Blue Angels will be performing in 1992. It also marks one of the few shows not on a military base. Last month, a similar Blue Angels show drew crowds of more than a million spectators in California. That demonstrates the caliber of excitement in store for local aviation enthusiasts.

Hopefully, the crowds will reflect local support for Aviation Days. The 1983 attendance was 25,000 and Aviation Day officials are hoping for crowds of more than 30,000. The Cape Girardeau show was moved from September to May to accomodate the Angels' performance. But the change may also provide some cooler temperatures.

Much of the credit for securing the Blue Angels goes to Mark Seesing, the city's airport manager who has long had a goal of getting the top-of-the-line aerobatic act and putting on a first-rate air show.

The Blue Angel pilots will be performing their daredevil artistry in blue and gold, F/A 18 Hornet strike fighters.

When the squadron last performed here, they did so in smaller, less powerful jets.

While much of the public attention has focused on the Blue Angels, Aviation Days will feature other aerial displays and a new attraction, hot-air balloon races.

From the majesty of balloon races to the awesome speed and precision maneuvers of the Blue Angels, this air show promises to be a top-notch act.

Gates open at 10 a.m. The cost to attend the air show is only $3 per person, ages 5 and older, if tickets are purchased in advance. Tickets purchased at the gate on the days of the show will cost $5 each. All in all, that's a small price to pay for skyrocketing entertainment.

This weekend, when it comes to family entertainment, the sky's the limit.