Will Smith will jump over the Grand Canyon — maybe
Most people celebrating their 50th birthday would be thrilled to plunge into the next half-century with a trip to Las Vegas.
Will Smith, who is certainly not most people, is taking a literal plunge over the Grand Canyon, and you could be lucky enough to join him.
As a spectator. Should make that clear. Those who donate $10 or more to one of the actor’s favorite causes will be entered in a contest in which the winner and a guest will share in the birthday celebration on Sept. 25, when Smith will bungee jump from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.
The stunt also will be live-streamed on his YouTube channel.
But just where over the Canyon?
The only question at this point, besides what kind of cake will be served, is just where over the Grand Canyon it will take place.
It’s easy to assume the stunt would play out over Grand Canyon West, where helicopter tours take flight every day. But the Hualapai Tribe, which owns and manages Grand Canyon West, has not been contacted about the bungee jump, a spokesman said.
It will not occur within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, where airspace is restricted and such stunts frowned upon over a national treasure.
“It’s not happening here,” park spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski said. “We haven’t been contacted about it, but even if we were, it would never be permitted. Now something may happen where I will have to eat my words, but I doubt it.”
Perhaps over a side canyon
Smith’s stunt could take place among the side canyons on the Navajo Reservation, as in June 2013 when tightrope walker Nik Wallenda crossed the Little Colorado River Gorge.
But side canyons are not the Grand Canyon, and Smith mentioned the natural wonder several times in his YouTube announcement of the contest.
Attempts to reach Smith were unsuccessful, because there were no attempts. It’s not like you can just call Will Smith.
The bungee jump will raise money for Education Cannot Wait, a global effort to bring education to children in times of crises, be it war or natural disasters.
How to enter
To enter the contest, visit omaze.com and donate $10 or more. The more you donate, the more entries you earn. In addition to an invite to the party, the winner and his/her guest will receive airfare and a hotel stay.
The contest closes Sept. 10 and the winner will be announced Sept. 21.
One caveat: The option to purchase 100,000 entries is sold out. Your odds of winning just went way down.