The Coney Chronicles

Passed out on the beach at Coney Island.
Scott Baker the barker captivates the crowd outside Sideshows at the Seashore.
Alligators and giant snakes are typical fairground-style attractions at Coney. The dogs are bit of mystery, however.
The oldest establishment on Coney Island's boardwalk, Ruby's Bar and Grill started life as Hebrew National Deli in 1934 and was purchased by Ruby Jacobs in 1970. Endangered for the last few years, Ruby's final season should have been 2010, but Ruby's managed to negotiate a new 8-year lease in 2011.
Coney Island's famed Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster opened on June 26, 1927.
Palm tree water fountains on the beach.
Coney Island's beach is hot and shadeless.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Since 1983, The Mermaid Parade has served as Coney Island's showcase to the weird and wonderful. Founded by the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA, the parade features a multitude of revelers in hand-made sea creature costumes, joining together in celebration of the beach and the beginning of summer.
Manager Laurie at the Coney Island Museum, which features historical exhibitions, quirky collectibles and art.
Miss Saturn entertains crowds on the boardwalk with her hula hoop act.
Lola Staar's Dreamland Roller Rink. Open from 2008-2010.
Steeplechase Pier, constructed in 1897, offers a respite from the kitsch of the boardwalk. Popular among local residents for fishing, scuba diving, and evening strolls.
Along with its usual stable of "freaks," The Coney Island Circus Sideshow offers special guests from time to time, such as the body-modified Lizard Man.
Burger Boy, minus the iconic Astroland Rocket that was removed January 2009 after Astroland's closure, adorns the roof of Paul's Daughter. Paul's Daughter, established in 1969, is another Coney Island business that lost its lease in 2010 but will operate through 2011 while negotiations continue.
Classic freakshow/boardwalk attractions.
Sword-swallower Heather Holliday and show MC Donny Vomit relax at the Beer Bar next door to Sideshows at the Seashore. Heather got her start as an intern for the Sideshow a few years ago, and upon learning her craft at 19 became the youngest sword-swallower in the world.
Coney Island's rides are open until 11pm. The amusement park and boardwalk are filled with teenagers during summer nights, with a wonderful throwback atmosphere.
The Beer Bar, next to the Sideshow Freak Show venue.
Waiting for Friday Night Fireworks to begin.
Evocatively-titled bumper cars.
Plastic palm tree fountains cool off beach-goers.
Shoot the Freak's paintball game was held in an empty, garbage-strewn lot between boardwalk businesses. Shoot the Freak and owner Anthony Berlingieri's other business Beer Island were part of the Coney Island 8, fighting to hold on to their leases. However, Shoot the Freak's lot was razed before the eviction was final. While the other businesses in the group continued to operate in 2011 as negotiations continued, Shoot the Freaks shut its operation for good. See the "Shoot the Freak" photo essay for a detailed look at the summer of 2009.
View of the historic Wonder Wheel—opened Memorial Day, 1929—from the subway platform.

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Summer 2007, Summer 2009
Location: Coney Island, New York

The Cyclone. Nathan's Hotdogs. The Wonder Wheel. The Parachute Jump. The boardwalk. Ruby's Bar and Grill. Sideshows by the Seashore. The Mermaid Parade. An iconic amusement area filled with iconic entertainments, Coney Island has been threatened in recent years with closure. A few spots have been given landmark status, a few have been given reprieve through 2011, and a few already moved on.

This isn't so much a grand tale about Coney Island; rather the concept that every snippet, every scene, every photograph of Coney Island contains a small story worth sharing.