A monument was erected in Niagara Falls State Park Monday to commemorate Nik Wallenda’s historic walk across the falls. The limestone plaque was unveiled on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park.
On June 15, 2012, the professional high-wire artist walked a tightrope across the Horseshoe Falls. Wallenda says it is an “honor” to receive the commemoration. He says he has dreamt about walking across Niagara Falls since he was a child.
“I can’t tell you what a huge honor this is, not just to me, but to my family and my family history that goes back to the 1780’s. Over 200 years long, my family had been walking wires around the world. And to commemorate my family in this way and to commemorate me in this way is very surreal to me,” said Wallenda.
Wallenda says with the plaque in place, there will be a piece of his heart in western New York forever. He says he and local leaders are also working on plans to create a venue for him to perform in Niagara Falls.
“There are so many moving pieces to what I do. To bring a show in, it takes a lot. It takes a lot of involvement. We need a facility, of course, that’s important. Whether we do a temporary facility, something like a tent structure that we would create a theater inside of, that’s a possibility. So, we’re kind of looking at all avenues, but it’s been in the process. We need the facility, we need the land, and we need the proper location...and we want to make sure it’s successful and that the house is filled,” said Wallenda.
Wallenda says he’s hoping the plans come to fruition as soon as next summer. He says the tourist attraction would provide an economic boost for the region.
Wallenda and his family have been performing daily at Darien Lake this summer until September 1. Wallenda is also set to perform at the Erie County Fair in August.