Nik Wallenda, "The King of the Highwire," performed at Darien Lake for the first time on a 750-foot-long wire stretched over one of the lakes.
He performed with is wife, Erendira, and Nick Slimick and Alec Bryant, who were making their professional debut. Slimick and Bryant are graduates of a high school in Sarasota, Fla., where they studied circus performing.
Wallenda drove a specially equipped motorcycle across the wire, which was 150 feet above the water at its apex, with Erendira and either Nick or Alec on a trapeze bar attached below. At the apex, Wallanda performed a handstand on the bike seat on one trip. On another he stood on the seat. On other trips, Erendira and the two young men performed stunts. The final trip was just Nik and Erendira and they performed barrel rolls at the far end of the wire.
This isn't the show Wallenda will be performing at Darien Lake this summer.
The show this summer will be in the Galaxy Theater (to be renamed the Nik Wallenda Theater). Shows start June 24 and run through Sept. 1. The 10-week run will feature two performances every day (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.) except Monday.
The hour-long show will feature top aerialists and stunt performers, Wallenda said. The finale will feature the Wallenda Family Pyramid on the Wire, untethered high above the stage.
During the show's run, performers will entertain park guests with wandering performances throughout the park, called "pop up performances." There will also be a regular interactive 20-minute show on the Gazebo Stage.
Wallenda said one reason he agreed to perform at Darien Lake is he that felt the need to give back to Western New York after being so warmly embraced during the run-up to his highwire walk over Niagara Falls.
"When I got off that cable in Niagara Falls, I said there will always be a piece of my heart that is in this region," Wallenda said. "This community has embraced me. It's been amazing. I get goosebumps.
"I think this shows my commitment to this region, to Western New York and Toronto," Wallenda said. "The community has been so good to me."
More pictures after the jump:
Nik Wallenda is a true role
Nik Wallenda is a true role model and a great reason to visit Darien Lake this summer.
During the Falls performance I remember he encouraged people to follow their dreams and never give up, and he gave glory to God. “This is what dreams are made of, people. Pursue your dreams. Never give up. Mine might seem strange, but anybody that’s dealing with any battle – focus on that other side.”
Mr. Wallenda paid me a small
Mr. Wallenda paid me a small kindness today. A really trivial matter. I couldn't repeat it in a way that would do it justice, but it meant something to me. It left in me an impression that he's a thoughtful and humble man, reinforced by how he conducted himself throughout the afternoon. I look forward to covering the opening of his show.