Shut falls off for eclipse? Joke’s on you, Diodati says
April Fool’s Day gag ‘perfect timing for the perfect prank,’ mayor says
Hook, line and sinker.
It appears Jim Diodati’s latest April Fool’s Day prank was a success.
A news release, featuring the city’s official letterhead, issued shortly after 8 a.m. Monday, declared the water over the Horseshoe and American falls would be turned off April 8 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to coincide with the total solar eclipse.
The release, titled “Lights Off, Falls Off, Niagara Falls to shut down during Solar Eclipse” said by stopping the thundering water over the falls, visitors could pay closer attention to the eclipse and a performance by Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
“With travellers and local residents all trying to get a glimpse of the phenomenon, precautions are being taken, and measures put in place to ensure nothing detracts from the visual spectacle of the celestial event,” the statement said.
“While the thundering waters of the falls come to a complete halt, and all eyes directed toward the sky, there will be a unique opportunity to hear the symphonic accompaniment to the event in the sky.”
The release, of course, was an April Fool’s Day joke.
“I can’t believe how many people called and texted me saying, ‘You got me, hook, line and sinker,’ ” Diodati said in an interview.
“It was the perfect timing for the perfect prank because of all the eyes on the falls for the eclipse.”
The mayor called the stunt the “quintessential Niagara Falls prank.”
“Over the years, anyone who works in tourism knows this, people invariably ask when do we shut the falls off ?”
The release said the decision to shut down the water was made in collaboration with Niagara Parks Commission.
“I thought the release and the accompanying social posts were in the spirit of the day, April Fool’s, and on point with one of the biggest stories of the year, the eclipse,” said David Adames, chief executive officer at Niagara Parks.
“And, it was just enough to be partially believable.”
Meanwhile, not to be outdone on April Fool’s Day, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe released a challenge of sorts to Diodati.
In a video posted on social media, he invited Diodati to a “Garden City Gong Show” wrestling match.
“Diamond Jim, you’ve been talking a lot of smack my friend,” Siscoe said in the video.
“You’ve been running around Niagara telling us all how important your little city is. It’s time for you and me to meet ‘mano a mano’ in the ring, April 31, at the Meridian Centre.” “Loser leaves town, winner gets Thorold.”
There is no April 31. Diodati was quick to accept the challenge but joked jurisdictional red tape meant the event would be unable to proceed.
“I’ve already been warned by NAFTA, when I win the smackdown, it would give Niagara Falls control of all of the tomato plants, a monopoly,” he joked.
“The battle has been ruled out of order. Thorold must remain neutral.”