Wallenda History…Part 1


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 The History Behind the Moment
“This is not a stunt, this is me performing an art I’ve devoted my life to.”
These are the words from Nik Wallenda when compared to daredevils, and stuntmen!  Over the past year Wallenda and his managers waged an intense lobbying campaign on the U.S. and Canadian side of the border in which they’ve sold their vision of a spectacular event with Niagara Falls setting the stage.
The date is now in stone (weather permitting), Niagara Falls and millions of people across the world are now looking forward to Friday June 15th.  This is the day Nik Wallenda will be attempting to walk over Niagara Falls on a high wire!
It was no easy road for Nik Wallenda to get to this point.  He has had to jump through numerous hoops to make this happen, but with determination and preparation Wallenda was granted permission to take to the skies of Niagara Falls June 15th.  The walk is expected to bring well over a hundred thousand tourists to the Niagara area wanting to witness first hand a moment in history.  16 ropewalkers have crossed the falls, and only one has perished.  With his skill and years of perfecting it (Wallenda has been on a practice wire since the age of 2) crossing the falls on June 15th will mean he has finally accomplished a lifelong goal that started with his grandfather Karl Wallenda.

A historical Wallenda stunt, the 7 man pyramid!

Many critics have judged Wallenda for what he is about to do, stating it’s crazy, it puts other lives at risk, and make claims he must have a death wish.  When speaking to reporters about this recently Nik says, “we have our own rescue team, and a 20 million dollar insurance policy we have never had to use.”  “I don’t have a death wish, I have a daughter, two sons, and my wife who I want to be here for.”

Even though Nik says he is more than prepared it doesn’t stop a mother from worrying Delilah Wallenda reflected on Nik’s goal saying, “My Stomach will be queasy!” “I know when he’s okay, and I know when there is a problem.  But I also know his ability.  He can do it!”

With just over a month to go before the walk hotels are busy taking bookings to accommodate the many people who will flood the falls for the event.  If you haven’t booked yet, it would be a good idea to do it soon or you may be out of luck when it comes to finding a place to stay.  Notice in the ariel view picture below the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel is right in the middle of all the action!

If you have booked your hotel already, well great first step done!  Good for you now comes the planning part.  It can get a little hectic setting up a weekend getaway to see such an exciting event.  The easy part is knowing what you’re going to be doing June 15th, but whether you’re down for just the day or the weekend, you are going to need something to keep you busy before the 9pm start time.  We don’t think that should be a problem.
Check out the recent video of Nik crossing Inner Harbour, follow our blog for part two of this series https://www.cliftonhill.com/falls_blog/


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