Rick Wallenda Announces St. Pete High Wire Walk

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who’ve ever wanted to witness in person the hire wire walks that have made the legendary Flying Wallenda Family so legendary will get their chance next month. Rick Wallenda has announced an upcoming skywalk over St. Petersburg’s Sundial courtyard.

Set to take place at 5 p.m. Feb. 11, the walk will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, according to representatives of the Sundial.

“In legendary Wallenda family tradition, the third-generation performer will cross the courtyard on a cable no bigger than an index finger, and without a harness or safety net,” the Sundial wrote in an email to media. “You do not want to miss this highly anticipated stunt.”

Prior to Wallenda’s appearance, the Sundial has other activities planned. Circus-themed performers are set to begin dazzling crowds around 4 p.m. Many retailers at the Sundial also plan to give a share of their proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.

“We are thrilled to welcome one of the world’s greatest tightrope walkers to Sundial,” center owner Bill Edwards said in a Monday statement. “Sundial is a gathering place for the community so it’s only fitting the event take place there. We’re also pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity as they will soon celebrate the completion of their four hundredth home.”

As for Wallenda, he’s looking forward to the upcoming Sundial skywalk. Though not the 61-year-old’s highest or longest feat, he said the visual beauty of the venue will make the walk one to remember.

“It’s not the biggest walk I’ve ever done, not the highest … but it is visually very impressive,” Wallenda told Patch. “I want to create new things like that, but I also want to capture some of the walks my grandfather did.”

Wallenda is referring to the legendary patriarch of the family, Karl Wallenda. The tightrope walker put his family on the map with such renowned stunts as a 1970 walk across Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge and a 1974 walk across Kings Island that spanned 1,800 feet. Rick has recreated his grandfather’s stunt at Kings Island, completing a 2,000-foot walk, but has yet to tackle Tallulah Gorge.

Georgia, however, is very much on Rick Wallenda’s mind.

“Next year is my 50th anniversary on the hire wire,” Wallenda said. Since Karl Wallenda celebrated his 50th anniversary on the wire by completing the Tallulah Gorge walk, Rick is hoping to do the same.

“(We’re) working on fundraising for Tallulah,” Rick said. For now, however, his sights are set on the upcoming Sundial appearance.

Tightrope walking is simply in Wallenda’s blood, he said.

“I love walking the high wire,” he said. “Like my grandfather said, walking the high wire is life; everything else is waiting.”

The Sundial is located at 153 2nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. In addition to the high wire walk, Wallenda is expected to be available to meet with spectators during his February appearance.

For more information about the Wallenda family, visit their website.

Photo courtesy of Rick Wallenda