Coney Labor Day Weekend TV - Dreamland Bell Hoopla!

New Found Dreamland Relilc On Display At Coney History Project

Image courtesy of Gregory P. Mango (NY Post)

As announced by the Coney Island History Project yesterday: The newly found Dreamland Pier bell that once welcomed guest by steamboat to Coney Island has been found resting in its murky grave, twenty five feet below sea level, for almost one hundred years by commercial diver Gene Ritter. Ritter found the bell last November and this week went under with his team to bring the relic out. The Dreamland bell will be on display at the Coney Island History Project for a short time until a permanent home is found (hopefully) in Coney Island.

Free Exhibit: Coney Island Bell on View at History Project under the Cyclone

Special exhibition for Labor Day Weekend – September 5-7, Hours are 1- 6 pm

From the History Project press release:

The historic Coney Island Bell from the old Dreamland Park was raised from the ocean floor yesterday after nearly 100 years underwater. Charles Denson, Executive Director of the Coney Island History Project is pleased to announce that the Bell will be on special exhibition this weekend at the History Project‘s exhibition center under the Cyclone roller coaster. Also on view will be period photos of Dreamland and the Bell along with Charles Denson’s photos documenting the raising of the Bell. The Coney Island History Project’s free public exhibition center is located under the Cyclone at 824 Surf Avenue just east of W 10th Street. FREE ADMISSION for One and ALL! The center is open for Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Sept. 5-7). Hours are 1 to 6 p.m.

The 500-pound brass bell once welcomed visitors arriving at the pier of Coney Island’s old Dreamland Park, which was on the site of the New York Aquarium. The following Channel 7 News video shows the bell arriving at the dock yesterday after a successful rescue mission by the team from “Cultural Research Divers.” The historic bell survived the Dreamland fire of 1911 and was discovered after a 20-year quest by Coney Island diver Gene Ritter.

Century Old Dreamland Artifact Resurfaces

Image courtesy of bigdoodyhead (Coney Island USA message board)

A genuine artifact from the original Coney Island theme park, 'Dreamland' circa 1911 was found last year in November and has now been raised from it's murky crypt twenty five feet below sea level. A 500 pound bell that rested at the tip of the Dreamland Pier that extended 1,500 feet out from the shore at the Dreamland theme park in the early 1900's Coney Island. The bell for steamboat passengers arriving and leaving the pier. The bell along with most of the pier fell into the ocean during a catastrophic fire that also ruined the themepark.

Gene Ritter of the Cultural Research Diver's Mission, has removed the bell for display in Coney Island. Today's Coney Island will get a glimpse of the old glory that was the Coney Island of yesteryear.

Gene told KC today that the bell will be towed to the Gateway Marina opposite Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn around 4pm today.

Images courtesy of the NY Post

The New York Post writes:

Ritter, who discovered the treasure in November not far from where the pier once stood off the West Eighth Street beachfront, said the find left him with the same "incredible" feeling he had in 1990 when he was the first to find remnants of Dreamland under the ocean.

"It's an amazing artifact and symbol of Coney Island's past, and it's returning as the city is trying to ring in a new vision for Coney Island," said local historian Charles Denson.

The bell is expected to be on display at the Coney Island History Project this Labor Day Weekend but this information has still to be confirmed. Later a permanent home in Coney Island will be found for the bell. The news of the bell made it to many local and national tv news outlets around the country today.

Watch ABC news video of the Dreamland Pier Bell below

Coney Events: The Funny Face Project

A hundred artists give their best facial expression for the iconic Coney Island Funny Face that originated from Steeplechase in old Coney Island.

Coney Island USA has asked 100 of the country's top contemporary artists to take on the iconic Coney Island Funny Face. The Faces will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on September 16th from 7-10 pm at the Jonathan O'Hara Gallery (41 East 57th Street, Suite 1302 between Madison and Park Avenues) with all proceeds going directly towards supporting Coney Island USA's arts programming and the fight to preserve the historic amusement district of Coney Island. Preview dates for the Funny Face Project are September 14th and 15th from 10am- 5pm

Buy tickets to the September 16 Auction at Coney Island USA.

Announcing the Funny Face Project
An Art Auction Event to benefit Coney Island USA
September 16, 2009
7 pm to 10 pm
at the Jonathan O'Hara Gallery
located 41 East 57th Street, Suite 1302
between Madison and Park Avenues

Flickr Convoy: Summer Sunning

Image courtesy Pablo 57 / KC Flickr Pool

As the summer begins to wind down these reluctant bathers destined to absorb a good dose of sun rays.

Join the Kinetic Carnival Flickr Group to add your Coney Island images and have them featured on this blog.

Coney Events: Rockabilly Festival

ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL!!!

All Live at the World Famous Coney Island Sideshow, The Burlesque at the Beach Series presents Sultry Burlesque with Weirdee Girl, Miss Kissy Wishes, Lefty Lucy and Jonny Porkpie! Spine-tingling Sideshow with The Squidling Brothers Circus! Real Live Surf Trash with NYC's The Tunnel Rockets !Part of The 2009 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival!!

BURLESQUE AT THE BEACH!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
10PM
$15
Sideshows By The Seashore
corner of Surf and West 12th street

Coney Events: The Warriors Skate Party

The Dreamland Roller Rink in Coney Island is still rolling strong. If you haven't come by do so before the season wraps to an end.

Dreamland Roller Rink

The Warriors Skate Party

Saturday, Sept 5th

8PM to 12AM

$12 admission/ $10 if you dress in 70 Street Attire

Free Skate Rentals if you arrive before 8:30

$5 Skate Rentals (or bring your own!)

21 and over
Take me to DREAMLAND!!