Summer of Coney Island 2007

Attractions - 7

by Takeshi Yamada

Professional sign board (3x4 feet) and a flyer (8.5 x 11 inches) for “FREE! Monday Movie Madness”--a temporary outdoor movie theater. (Bring your own chairs and cushions!) The giant screen and its structure are made of inflatable fabric - very modern and early 21st century style.  Thor Equities Inc. is the sponsor of these events. Thor is the real estate development company, which will demolish Astroland Amusement Park and will purportedly build a new one - Coney Island Amusement Park. (August 13, 2007)

Free Monday Movie Madness on Astroland Amusement Park’s empty lot.  To the right in the background one can see the Luna Park-inspired tower of the Coney Island - Stillwell subway station’s main entrance.  (September 3, 2007. Labor Day)

Some of the entertainment and events which take place on the boardwalk are interactive. It can be more fun to be the part of the event than to just sit and watch others doing so!

Street portrait artists on boardwalk. It’s like a FREE portrait art exhibit on the street where you can also purchase your own customized art for a small fee. I wish there were more of them. (You see dozens of them at Times Square in Manhattan every day.)  (August 18, 2007)

The animal photo guy is very popular and always attracts people at Coney.  He “dresses” people with his snakes, lizards, and parrots and takes Polaroid photographs for a small fee. He was forced to retire from his former job at a major construction company after accidentally losing his fingers.  This is my kind of street business!  A Coney Island Moment! (September 9, 2007)

FREE modern art exhibition - or simply a show-off of trophies on the Boardwalk--yesteryear’s gorgeous bicycles!  They do not make things like these any more. The owners are chilling in the background.  (August 26, 2007)

A line of gorgeous motorcycles parking on Surf Avenue in front of Keyspan baseball stadium.  (August 24, 2007)

NYPD - ready to serve and protect. Surf Avenue by Astroland Amusement Park.  You can see the Coney Island - Stillwell Ave. subway station entrance across the street in the background.  Enormous numbers of new police were recruited last year and the force also purchased new police vehicles. (September 1, 2007)

Takeshi Yamada, Seara (the Sea Rabbit) and three Asian mermaids at Coney Island Beach. (September 9, 2007)

Continue to Part 8