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Photo of the Day: Fashion Plates at Water Race Game

Posted in Amusement Game, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Coney Island, Jones Walk, water race game on June 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A Winner Every Game. Jones Walk, Coney Island. June 21, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On the way to Friday’s Parachute Jump Lighting, we cut through Jones Walk and came across these fashion plates playing the water race. “A winner every game, a prize every time!”

Photo Album: Preview of Parachute Jump LED Lights

Posted in amusement park, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Bruce Handy, Central Amusement International, lighting, Luna Park, Parachute Jump, Zamperla on June 21, 2013| 4 Comments »

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.

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.

Photo of the Day: Paquito the Chihuahua in Coney Island

Posted in Animals, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged chihuahua, Coney Island, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Paquito, Pet Costume Contest, Pet Day on June 17, 2013| Leave a Comment »

After winning 2nd prize as “Uncle Sam” in Saturday’s 3rd Annual Pet Costume Contest on the Coney Island Boardwalk, Paquito the Chihuahua stripped down to his trousers and chilled in his wicker chair. Aren’t his yellow boots the cutest! The self-possessed little Brooklyn dog was a cowboy in last year’s contest, which is sponsored by Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park.