The Great Farini aka William Leonard Hunt was born in Lockport, New York but raised in Port Hope Ontario.
As a young man he had watched as the Infamous Blondin performed tightrope walking stunts high above the Niagara River.
William Hunt pursued his dream of walking across the gorge on a tightrope. He even changed his name to Signor Guillermo Antonio Farini. He would soon become known as The Great Farini.
Farini then issued several challenges to Blondin. Farini’s first performance at Niagara Falls took place on August 15th 1860.
When Farini reached mid point, he attached a rope to the tightrope and proceeded to lower himself onto the deck of the Maid of the Mist 200 ft below. He drank a glass of wine and engaged in conversation with passengers before ascending back up the rope. Farijni was always trying to outdo his rival Blondin.
