Newlyweds and Air Force cadets add to excitement ahead of MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With hours remaining before first pitch of the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, fans and workers alike were making final preparations for one of baseball's biggest nights.

Among those soaking in the atmosphere were newlyweds Nicole and Wes Sheffer of Glenside, who chose to spend their honeymoon at the All-Star Game after tying the knot on July 3.

"This is our honeymoon. This is how we're kicking off our honeymoon. This is All-Star Week," Nicole Sheffer said.

The couple's connection to Citizens Bank Park runs deep. They met at the ballpark, Wes proposed there four years later on the day of the Eagles' Super Bowl parade, and now they are celebrating their marriage by attending the All-Star festivities.

"As soon as we booked our wedding, we were like, 'Oh, stop it, it lines up perfectly.' So we were like, 'Where else would you want to celebrate but Citizens Bank Park, where we met and got engaged, and now it's the All-Star Game?' It's literally like the Emmys of baseball. C'mon, you can't not be here," Nicole Sheffer said.

Wes Sheffer recalled incorporating the Phillies into his wedding attire.

"I had a suit, a maroon suit. I wanted to do it Phillies-themed, same as the vintage throwbacks," he said.

The Sheffers said they are avid Philadelphia sports fans and planned to join thousands of others cheering for the National League, including the six players representing the Phillies.

"So clearly, we are big sports, big Philly sports fans here," Nicole Sheffer said.

Meanwhile, preparations were also underway inside the stadium for a pregame spectacle involving four Air Force cadets, who will parachute into Citizens Bank Park from 5,000 feet.

"This is the first-pitch ball right here in my hand," said Cadet First Class Connor Bartz of Temple, Texas, while holding the game ball that will eventually be delivered to Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez for the ceremonial first pitch.

"Our first jumper, the jumpmaster for tonight, will be delivering the game ball. So we're going to hand this to Cristopher Sánchez, the first pitch he throws off the mound at the MLB All-Star Game. It's right here," Bartz said.

The cadets spent the day practicing for the jump and studying the ballpark's layout, which presents challenges different from their usual training locations.

"We're deciding what's the best thing for us to do. How should we fly our canopies, where should we land, all that stuff," Bartz said.

The parachutists also planned to carry large flags during the performance.

"Eight-hundred-square-foot flags. So massive logos on there. America 250 logos, American flag as well, will be capping off our performance. A lot of American pride and American pride coming into the stadium," said Air Force cadet Heath Masingale.

For Bartz, participating in the All-Star Game is the realization of a childhood dream.

"I used to sit in my room as a kid and dream of coming to this game, and now I get to jump out of an airplane in a parachute and land in center field," he said.

The cadets said they understand the expectations that come with performing in front of Philadelphia sports fans and have been practicing accordingly.

"Added pressure from that. We know they'll let us hear it if we don't hit the landing," Bartz said.