Coney Pioneers Given Awarded Postumously

Among the glitz of the Las Vegas style show world, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo 2009 held in Nevada gave kudos to the creators of the beacon of glitz of the older world at the turn of the century in Coney Island. Fred Thompson and Skip Dundy, who were the dreamers around a depression ara who dared to imagine and turn their dreams into a motion of lights and dazzling beauty and spectacular amusement.

Last year's IAAPA Expo 2008 was held in Orlando, where Lynn Kelly, president of the Coney Island Development Corporation attended, bringing back a roster of names and good handshakes. At least that's all we know. Last year what happened in Orlando stayed in Orlando. However, this year what happened in Las Vegas will surley be brought back here to Coney. On behalf of Skip and Dundy, Coney Island History Project director, Charles Denson and co-founding partner and Coney Island Cylcone Roller Coaster operator, Carol Hill Albert accepted the award.

(Pictured above with Carol Albert and Charles Denson is Tim O'Brien, Chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame Committee.)

Image courtesy of IAAPA

The ceremony kicks of the event of the IAAPA International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. It's the largest trade show of its kind, dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry in regards to permanently situation amusement facilities.

From the Coney Island History Project press release:

"We'd like to see Coney Island rebuilt with the same sense of creativity and wonder that Thompson and Dundy showed 100 years ago," said Charles Denson, Executive Director of the Coney Island History Project and author of Coney Island Lost and Found. "Thompson and Dundy were risk takers who used new technology to create a sense of wonder. They were competitors who joined forces. Their creativity came out of competition. Coney Island needs multiple operators to succeed."

We hope now that with the city aquiring much of the land, speculator Joe Sitt and Thor Equities had a grip on, the city will reflect upon this honor to Skip and Dundy and rethink their plan and come up with a better solution to the little land that is left for amusements in Coney Island. And yes, smaller more independent amusement and entertainment operators are needed but it's going to be tough to entice them to come here to Coney Island and make their dreams happen during these hard economic times. But then again Coney Island was never for the weak and fearful.

You can read the full press release at the Coney Island USA message board.

[This post has been updated]