Many dramatic changes have been taking place right in front of my eyes here in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn, New York since I, Takeshi Yamada, first visited here in 2001, and moved here in 2002. Today, many locals consider this summer of 2007 would be the most critical time for Coney Island because of its major real estate development projects in the amusement park area. With this in mind, as an educator and artist of visual anthropology, I spent an enormous amount of time documenting the scenes and events of this unique and distinctive area of New York City this year more than any of the previous six years.

The year 2007 made one of the coolest summers in Coney Island since 2001. (The weather forecasts and media hysteria of the “hot summer” were completely wrong this year again as of today, September 3, 2007. LOL)

August 12, 2007 (Sunday) was another cool lovely sunny summer day (78-69F degree).  Seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit at 5pm. There was a bright sky and the deep blue sea at Coney Island. The blue color of the sea becomes deeper with the late afternoon’s strong sunlight. This is truly the most popular and family-oriented good-looking beach in the whole wide New York City. The best! (August 12, 2007)

Young and old alike are relaxing at the Coney Island Beach. (August 12, 2007)

Probably due to the nature of this family-oriented beach right by the two amusement parks, ladies wear very conservative bikinis (with more cloth at their bottom) here compared to women in Chicago who can be seen wearing tiny thong bikinis at major beaches such as Oak Street Beach at Lake Michigan. The New York City culture is NOT always “cutting edge", “wildest” or “progressive” like some other cities.

Consider the fact that Coney Island is the very place where the first generation of “bathing suits” was invented and introduced to the masses about 100 years ago. People then were more aggressive and outrageous than us regarding this specific culture! (You may also be surprised to know that sunbathing at the beach is a quite new culture introduced to the human civilization in recent centuries in the Western world.)   (August 12, 2007)

The entrance of Astroland Amusement park on the boardwalk. Many say that this may be the last summer for Astroland before its demolition. Shown in the back is Deno's Wonder Wheel of the Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Those two big amusement parks are located side by side here, and even many locals do not know they are owned and operated by separate private commercial companies. (August 12, 2007)

The traditional traveling circus company, Cole Bros Circus, visited Coney Island this year for a few days of live performances. (August 5, 2007)

The two huge and vividly rendered billboards on the metal panels (not on cotton duck canvases) illustrating attractions expected to be seen inside of the circus tent. The attractions shown here are all classical and traditional ones. Shown in the back in the right of the picture on the top is the historical Parachute Jump Tower. (August 5, 2007)

The concession stands of the Cole Bros Circus shown here include face painting shop and gift shops. Show at the far right is Astroland Tower. (August 5, 2007)

This area of Astroland Amusement Park was already flattened by a major real estate developer (Thor Equities, Inc.) in the last few years. The batting ranch, miniature golf course, racing car circuit, medium size roller coaster, and many thrill rides by the streets were all removed this past spring. (August 5, 2007)

Alien Bodies. A grind show at Astroland Amusement Park. June 2001.

Since I first visited Coney Island in 2001, many sideshows and grind shows came to Coney Island. Examples of them are 100 lb Giant Rat show, Jack Constantine’s World Smallest Woman show, Bobby Reynolds’s International Circus Sideshow Museum & Gallery, Jack Constantine’s Museum of World Oddities, Alien Bodies from the Area 51 grind show, etc. Unlike previous years, no shows returned to Coney Island this year. So far, sadly, the Cole Bros Circus as show above was the first and the last traveling show which came to Coney Island for one week event this summer.

Postcard of grand old Coney Island.

It is so hard to believe that less than a century ago, Coney Island was the most flourishing Holy Land and the entertainment culture capital of the world with many circus attractions and dozens of traveling/temporary circus sideshows, which entertained people throughout the summer!

Takeshi Yamada and Sea Rabbit (“Seara”) at Astroland Amusement Park. I take my Sea Rabbit to Coney Island Beach (only 5 minutes walking distance from my residence) almost every day because she likes the beach. The Astroland Amusement Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park are on the way. Yes, I wear a tuxedo for the beach walk usually (with black tie and occasionally, five dozen Mardi Gras bead necklaces for a festive touch). I really need a giant 20-feet snake around my neck. (August 12, 2007) 

Takeshi Yamada © 2007 Copyright all rights reserved

Special Thanks to Lauren D. Travis