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Photo Album: Coney Islanders and Carnies at San Gennaro

Posted in festival, Photo Album, tagged carnival, festival, game, Italian feast, Little Italy, New York City, photograph, ride, San Gennaro, street fair on September 24, 2009| 1 Comment »

Floss & Apples at San Gennaro. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Last Friday marked ATZ’s first weekend away from Coney Island and first weekend off since Memorial Day! After winding up the season at the People’s Playground on September 13, we soon began to miss the noise and the crowds. We headed over to the closest carnival—the 82nd Annual Feast of San Gennaro.

Strolling along Mulberry Street from Houston to Canal, we met quite a few Coney Islanders who’d brought their games, sideshows and food stands to Little Italy. In fact, the stand where we finally stopped for calamari because it looked the most appetizing turned out to be owned by the proprietors of Gyro Corner on Coney Island’s Boardwalk. Different menu in Little Italy, thanks to Mama’s sauce.

Carnival Rides on Grand Street. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Hit the Hammer, Ring the Bell. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Monica from Dreamland. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Lucy's Fabulous Marquee. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Lucy’s Palace is famous for their sausage sandwiches, but I was struck by the fabulous hand-painted marquee on their vintage trailer. A lot on Mulberry was filled with game concessionaires from Surf Ave and Dreamland and a trio of single-o’s direct from Coney Island. Kima “The Elephant Woman” made her sideshow debut this summer in Coney at John Strong’s Strangest Show on Earth. A ten-in-one sideshow with some former Coney freaks including Eak the Geek was there early in the week. You just never know who or what will turn up at this 10 day extravaganza in the narrow streets of Little Italy. This is the place where Coney Island’s world famous Shoot the Freak got its start!

Direct from Coney Island! Stephen was the talker at the Elephant Woman's single-o. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Direct from Coney Island! Stephen was the talker at one of the single-o's. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Toy Store Amusements Festival Wheel at San Gennaro. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Toy Store Amusements’ Festival Wheel and three kiddie rides nudged up against the apartment buildings on Grand Street. In the increasingly gentrified streets of New York City, amusement rides at street fairs are becoming a rare sight. As far as carnival games, water race fun and one ball in wins were it.. The iPod Touch was the most hyped prize. The complete Photo Album: Coney Islanders and Carnies at San Gennaro can be viewed on flickr.

Lights at Figli di San Gennaro. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

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Michael Jackson Tribute at Neverland Ranch’s Dragon Wagon in Coney Island

Posted in Amusement ride, tagged Coney Island, Dragon Wagon, Michael Jackson, Neverland, ride, tribute on July 4, 2009| 2 Comments »

Michael Jackson tribute posters on front of Neverland's Dragon Wagon Kiddie Coaster in Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On Tuesday ATZ had the scoop that the Dragon Wagon Kiddie Coaster from Michael Jackson’s private amusement park at Neverland Ranch was in Coney Island for the summer. After news of the ride’s history spread, the park’s operators set up a tribute to Jackson. On the eve of Fourth of July, a DJ was playing the King of Pop’s greatest hits and memorial posters were attached to the front of the ride.

Meanwhile, over at Stillwell and Surf, “Thriller” was blaring from the giant speakers that were set up on Friday night in preparation for Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.