Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/90018
FOR HIS NEXT ACT ... Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson addresses Nik Wallenda during the Oct. 19 fes- tivities at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport as Pedro Reis, Circus Sarasota CEO (right), stands on the sidelines. Photo by Suzanne Willis AERIALIST NIK WALLENDA RETURNS TO SARASOTA WITH PROMISES OF FUTURE FEATS OF WONDER Staff Reports After a summer of travel, Circus Sarasota su- perstar Nik Wallenda returned to Sarasota on Oct. 19. During a ceremony at Sarasota-Bradenton In- ternational Airport, Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Christine Robinson recognized Wallenda for his latest feat — a cable walk across Niagara Falls in mid-June, the first time that high-wire act ever had been performed. After some practice with the assistance of Circus Sarasota clowns, Robinson even per- formed a joint "low high-wire act" to present Wallenda with a county proclamation recog- nizing Oct. 19 as Nik Wallenda Day. Pedro Reis, co-founder and CEO of Circus Sarasota, announced that Wallenda once again would be the star of the circus' winter season performances at the Big Top adjacent to Ed Smith Stadium. Rounding out the ceremonies, Atwell, on be- half of Circus Sarasota, presented Wallenda with a framed photo taken of him during his February 2010 walk across a high wire be- tween the One Watergate condominium tower and the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton on the bayfront. The photo was shot by Sarasota News Leader photographer Norman Schimmel.