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Niagara Fallsview Casino Features Wirewalker

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will launch the Niagara region's bustling tourist season on June 14 with an outdoor party featuring a "skywalking" event by record-breaking wirewalker Jay Cochrane.

Cochrane, who has performed several of the longest and highest wirewalks in history, will walk on a cable spanning the 650 feet between the roof of the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort hotel tower and the roof of the neighbouring Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview hotel at a height of 400 feet - all with the thundering Horseshoe Falls as a backdrop. Cochrane's walk will begin at noon sharp.

"As I move through the planning of these wirewalking events with Jay, I become more and more aware that we are tapping into Niagara's colorful past even as Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is steadily helping to move the region into it future," said Larry L. Lewin, President, Niagara Casinos. "The names of wirewalkers like Blondin and Farini hearken back to Niagara's first golden age. We are now entering what I think is Niagara's second golden age, so I think it's only fitting that we revive the wirewalking tradition here."

Between 11am and 3pm, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will host the "Jay Cochrane Summer Kick-Off Party" in its main valet entrance area on Fallsview Boulevard. This invitation-only event will feature live entertainment, a barbecue and a unique wirewalking challenge for charity. Members of the media and local dignitaries will have the chance to take a very quick wirewalking lesson from Cochrane before walking a special wire strung close to the ground. The longer the walk, the more money the casino's Cares Foundation will donate to charity.

The Jay Cochrane Summer Kick-Off Party will serve as a prelude to Cochrane's next record-breaking walk. On Canada Day (July 1) and again on Independence Day (July 4), Cochrane will walk a second cable, this one strung between the roof of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort's hotel tower and the top of one of Niagara's iconic landmarks - the Skylon Tower. At a distance of 1,800 feet and at a height beginning at 400 feet and ending at over 600 feet, these will be the longest and highest (combined) skywalks every performed in North America.

Cochrane holds six world records for wirewalking, including the longest and highest wirewalk ever performed. In 1995, Cochrane walked on a cable strung between the cliff walls on either side of China's gaping Qutang Gorge. At a distance of 2,098 feet and a height of 1,340 feet above the Yangtze River, it is considered the greatest skywalk ever accomplished.

Cochrane's remarkable events go far beyond regular wirewalking. They are carefully choreographed performances timed to music he selects and customizes for each walk. The walks also include a thrilling connection between Cochrane and the audience below. While walking the wire, Cochrane actually speaks to the audience through a wireless microphone.

"I bring them up onto the wire with me," explains Cochrane, a native of Canada. "They don't just see the performance, they feel it. I am proud to present these skywalks to my native Canada."

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