Parachute Jump Lighting Test, Coney Island. June 20, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy
On Friday night in Coney Island, the landmark Parachute Jump will be lit with 8,000 LED lights. Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower will have enough bling to be visible from outer space, advance reports claim. The lighting was installed by Zamperla’s Central Amusements International, which operates Luna Park. Last night, the crowd on the Boardwalk was treated to a dazzling preview of the light show and Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy took this series of photos. “Parachute Jump vibrating to the beat of mermaid’s soul vibrations,” he said, in anticipation of Saturday’s Mermaid Parade.
Parachute Jump Lighting Test, Coney Island. June 20, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy
Originally designed by a retired Naval commander to train military paratroopers in the 1930s, parachute towers were soon modified into amusement attractions when civilians clamored to ride. Coney Island’s Parachute Jump first wowed visitors at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair. Afterwards, the ride became the star attraction at Steeplechase, the world-famous amusement park that opened on Coney’s fabled shore in 1897.
Parachute Jump Lighting Test, Coney Island. June 20, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy
Along with the pier, the Jump’s tower is the sole survivor of the park that once billed itself “Coney Island’s Only Funny Place, Where 25,000 People Laugh at One Time.” The city-owned landmark’s proximity to the Brooklyn Cyclones’ stadium gave it a new lease on life when the ballpark opened in 2001.
Parachute Jump Lighting Test, Coney Island. June 20, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy
Summer officially arrives this weekend. Friday night’s lighting ceremony will be followed by Coney Island’s first fireworks show of the 2013 season and Saturday’s 31st Annual Mermaid Parade.
Parachute Jump Lighting Test, Coney Island. June 20, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy
Related posts on ATZ…
June 4, 2013: Coney Island Fireworks 2013: Fridays, 6 Saturdays and More
May 26, 2013: A Portrait of Abe Lincoln on Coney Island’s B&B Carousell
April 29, 2012: Photo of the Day: Space Shuttle Over Coney Island’s Parachute Jump
January 18, 2012: Video of the Day: Climbing Coney Island’s Parachute Jump
Amusing the Zillion 
Yes, we at the Cyclones game were treated to the dazzling preview also. I think I missed most of the game staring at it, taking photos, and a couple of videos. What an improvement over the old lights!!
Wasn’t that the makeup game for Tuesday? You got a bonus! Saw a few videos on Facebook and twitter. Fantastic!
No, it was a regularly scheduled home game.
It was truly an amazing sight to see!!! However, the lights do not extend around the 12 chutes as seen in the advertisement. What’s up with that???