NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., June 5 (UPI) -- The June 15 tightrope walk across Niagara Falls by Nik Wallenda has developed a secondary market for tickets to the event, classified Web sites indicate.
Although 4,000 free tickets were made available for the event, and were claimed in less than four minutes, one advertiser on the Web site eBay has offered a ticket for $400, and another on Craigslist has advertised a ticket at $250, the Buffalo, N.Y., News reported Tuesday.
Wallenda's walk above the American Falls section of the iconic waterfall, on a tightrope stretched from Goat Island in the Niagara River to the city of Niagara Falls on the U.S. side, is the latest in the falls' history of stunts and spectacles. New York State Parks officials have arranged for the event to be free of charge, and open to anyone with an admission voucher and matching photo identification.
"I think people really need to understand that the vouchers must be redeemed with matching photo ID," said State Parks spokeswoman Angela Berti. "We're cautioning people who are interested in seeing the walk that they are on a 'buyer beware' basis."
Police are cautioning ticket buyers who intend to meet sellers at predetermined points to exchange money for access to the event, advising some vouchers might be counterfeit.
"If you do buy it, you could end up having problems at the gate. Not only would you not be allowed admission, you'd lose your money," said Niagara Falls Police Superintendent John Chella.
