Coney Island’s Opening Day, April 5, 2009

April 10, 2009 by Tricia

Boy wins his first prize of the 2009 season at Water Race Game on Jones Walk

Palm Sunday is the traditional season opener for Coney Island’s rides and attractions. Strolling along Jones Walk to Gregory & Paul’s on the Boardwalk for a beer after work took forever. Our group of Coney Island regulars had to stop and cut up jackpots with every game operator. I got to take lots of pictures along the way.

Coney Island’s Jimmy Prince plays Skin the Wire on Jones Walk. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

After his first day as “Distinguished Historian” at the Coney Island History Project’s exhibition center under the Cyclone, Jimmy Prince tried his luck at Jones Walk’s Skin the Wire game. In February, Mr Prince retired from Mermaid Avenue’s Major Market, Coney Island’s oldest butcher shop, after 60 years.

When my friends sat down at the picnic table on the corner of the Bowery, I ran off to find Target, the Coney Island Arcade Cat. Manny the arcade owner said, “Maybe he’s on the ride.” He didn’t mean riding the ride, just hanging out. We were looking around the Super Shot when the cat trotted out from the arcade and jumped on the counter of the Balloon Dart. That’s where he works! Target, the Official Mascot of the flickr group Coney Island is Alive and Kicking and Welcomes Visitors in 2009! had his photo in the NY Times yesterday! He’s famous now, but it hasn’t changed him one bit. I took lots of pix of him on Coney Island’s opening day. This one is my favorite…