Falls officials plan to build off Wallenda momentum
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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — More than 72 hours later, State Senator George Maziarz is still gushing about Nik Wallenda's historic walk and the spotlight it cast on the region.
"It was just a great night for Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls really shined throughout the world, really," he said.
The walk had the city trending on Twitter throughout the weekend and brought thousands to Downtown Niagara Falls, though Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation President John Percy said official numbers won’t be available until later this week.
"It really created this infectious energy throughout the city Friday night and spilled into the weekend."
Now, he said the city's next big feat will be keeping that momentum going.
"We have to work with travel writers, we can get them to come and cover a more detailed story on the destination," he explained.
It's a destination Maziarz said could soon be home to a permanent Wallenda installation. He's now in talks with Wallenda to create an attraction in Downtown Niagara Falls that would allow visitors to simulate what it's like to walk a wire.
"That's what we need, we need more venues, we need more things for people to do on the U.S. side," Maziarz said.
According to Maziarz, the wire walker has also been contacted by a major publishing house to document his experience in an upcoming book.
The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation is currently working with Niagara University to determine just what type of economic effect the walk had on the city and how many visitors turned out on June 15. Those numbers are expected Tuesday.