Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - June 15, 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of Nik Wallenda's extraordinary tightrope walk over Niagara Falls from the U.S. side to Canada.
In commemoration, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino gave Wallenda a key to the City, as well as announcing June 15 as "Nik Wallenda Day" in Niagara Falls, New York.
"The City of Niagara Falls proudly honors and celebrates Nick Wallenda on the 10th anniversary of his walking over the precipice of the Falls, so we hereby proclaim January 15th, 2022 as Nick Wallenda Day in the City of Niagara Falls," said Mayor Restaino.
Wallenda will also have a bronze statue of himself walking over the Falls hung above the streets of Prospect and Old Falls, which will be sculpted by local sculptor, Susan Geissler.
The statue will cost approximately $150,000 and will take about a year to complete. That money is sourced by sponsorships as well through services of the contractors and the City.
Wallenda also received a proclamation from New York Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt and an honorable citation from New York State Assemblyman Angelo Marinello.
Nick Wallenda was surprised after hearing the announcement of the statue and shared what he said to the Canadian border patrol after he made the walk.
"I had to have my passport, I was crossing over an international border. It was in a Ziploc bag in my front pocket during that entire walk and they said, 'What's your reason for being here?' I didn't know what they were gonna ask me, but what I said was, 'My goal is to inspire people to pursue their dreams, no matter what challenges they face and to be inspired, that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and keep God number one.' That really has been my life's journey. It's been my family's life's journey, to inspire others. I think that we're all on a tightrope and we're all trying to make it from one side to the other and it's so important that we continue to face the other side," said Wallenda.
What's next for Wallenda?
Wallenda headlines in Big Apple Circus in Manhattan and is currently working on another touring show, a documentary about his life and a new TV Special which he says will be "Just as exciting as Niagara Falls." He also mentions he would like to tight rope walk the Niagara Falls again, but from the other side.
"One of my dreams, is to actually pick the balancing poll up on the Canadian side and walk back to the United States over Niagara Falls and put that balancing poll down in history. The goal is to do that untethered," said Wallenda. Wallenda is 43 and intends to retire at 55.
To hear audio from the full conference, see the player below: