Greetings from Coney Island

A week ago today, my husband and I along with my friend Monica who was visiting from out of state, went on a little adventure to Brooklyn. Our first stop of course had to be Coney Island!

Coney Island has been a summertime hot spot for New Yorkers for many years. It's most popular time was pre-WWII, afterwards there was a decline but thanks to the many investments and renovations, it is slowly becoming what it once was.

Still, when you hear the words Coney Island, even non-New Yorkers know where and what it is. It is a place full of rides, food, and sideshows-as well as, a gorgeous boardwalk and beach. Just a perfect place to go to if you want to have some good ole fashion fun-in-the-sun.

For our day out in Coney Island, I decided to go with a colorful but classic dress. I wore a 1950's dress purchased on Etsy by littlestarsvintage. I wore some flowers in my hair purchased at Claire's, a brooch purchased while in Missouri, and some of my moonglow bracelets. Nothing fancy, but pretty and comfortable-which is the way I like to roll.

The most well known spots on Coney Island are the boardwalk, the beach, the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone, and Nathan's.

Nathan's Famous opened in Coney Island in 1916 and quickly became a landmark. They started a hot dog eating contest in their first year and it is still a popular event today!

The Wonder Wheel is a sight to behold. It's visually bright and beautiful-it is a 150 feet tall and built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company. It has twenty-four fully enclosed passenger cars, each are able to carry six people, making its total capacity of 144 passengers.

I have never been on the Wonder Wheel but I did ride the Cyclone many moons ago. It was my attempt to rid myself of my fear of heights. Um, yeah...it just increased it. The Cyclone opened in 1927 and it is a wooden roller coaster. I promise you will know the difference between this roller coaster and the ones of today if you ever ride in it. Whoa. Let's just say that. In 1988 it was declared a landmark.

The last part of our adventures took us to a place I never thought I would go. I am fascinated by the history of sideshows and one of my favorite films is Freaks, but I never thought I would actually go to a modern version of a sideshow. I must admit the show was very entertaining.

Coney Island USA was established to continue the tradition of performance art, sideshow acts, vaudeville, etc. Although in the past people who performed in sideshows were born deformed or disabled-I would say the majority had no other choice but to perform in sideshows as the world wasn't as accepting of those who were "different". Of course, you also had many who were taught and trained in a specific act to perform.

In today's standards, these types of shows aren't seen as politically correct but like I said before, it really was an enjoyable show.

The best part of the show was the performance by Ray Valenz who was the MC as well as a performer in the show. We saw performers throwing fire, putting nails in their noses, and dancing with snakes.

I surprisingly found myself very emotional after the show because as a person with a disability and knowing the history of this type of performance, I suppose it hit me in a soft place. I was happy to be able to thank some of the performers even though they didn't understand why I would be emotional. I am still surprised I was....such a mushy girl I am.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with a sweet friend and an adventure to remember in Coney Island. If you are ever in New York, this is defiantly a special place you should go to. Lots of history, lots of fun things to do, and lots of colorful characters around.