Day 19. October 3, 2008.
Today, my dear friends, is an exceptional Friday. Not only is it the first Friday in October, which happens to be an excellent autumnal month mostly associated with All Hallow’s Eve, it also happens to be the day of Coney Island’s First Annual Freaktoberfest. Coney Island, in my opinion, is fucking awesome. It holds the kitschy glam of a 70’s carnival, the punk allure of sideshow freaks, and the promise of potentially encountering used needles while making one’s way along the Atlantic. The rusty splendor of historically protected rides such as The Wonder Wheel and The Cyclone, built in 1927, cannot be matched. (Nor can the “oh fuck I really might die” factor when riding these.) For those of you who are not Coney Island connoiseurs, it has a rich cultural history and has served as the backdrop for uplifting films such as “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Warriors,” as well as literary stalwarts such as Ferlinghetti’s “Coney Island of the Mind.” And if you don’t know what a Coney Island Whitefish is I recommend you pause and look it up this very moment.
At the turn of the 20th century Coney Island and its amusements were vastly different from what we encounter today. Nothing remains of the original parks, Dreamland, Luna and Steeplechase, that were destroyed by either fires throughout the first half of the century, or torn down by a series of real estate bastards. My personal favorite, Dreamland, existed from 1903-1911. The elaborate architecture and lighting instilled a majestic, other-worldy feel, much like shrooming on a lakeshore while mindfucking some Miller and Baudelaire. Some of the exoticisms, such as the large pagoda in Dreamland, were most certainly characteristic of the popularization of Asian and other non-Western cultures at this time. This is evidenced in early 20th century art movements such as Primitivism and Orientalism.
The evolution and decay of Coney combine to create its overall allure.
And I am going to be amongst the horror rides, beer in hand, raptured** in dayglo this very eve. Also, I will try my damndest to not smoke, but how can one not smoke at Coney?
Note for future post: Due to the long nature of this blog Satanism will have to wait until next time. Just to keep you anguished and starving for more: author R.L. Stine and the high priest of the Church of Satan are in the lobby of my office at this very moment.
http://history.amusement-parks.com/lunapark.htm
*I am indeed using “sequestration” in an incorrect manner as Coney Island is not being seized for the benefit of state or creditors. It was sold, but to its many beloved fans, its rich cultural and historical significance has been seized with this sale. This is authorial insolence and I’m gonna wield it. Also, my awareness of sequestration is brought to you by mcp, who so very elegantly proved to be correct without spilling a drop of blood.
**i can make up any damn words i please.
