Blessing of the Rides
marks Coney opening
BY JULIANNE MCSHANE
It’s offi cially playtime in the
People’s Playground.
Dozens of Brooklynites
fl ocked to Coney Island’s annual
Blessing of the Rides ceremony
on April 14 to celebrate
the opening of the amusement
district for the summer.
The beloved event carried on
the memory of the late Lula
and Deno Vourderis , who
owned and operated the Wonder
Wheel Amusement Park
and started the decades-old
tradition, according to the
pair’s grandson.
“It’s a labor of love, and
we’re proud that our third
and fourth generations can
continue in that legacy,” said
DJ Vourderis.
The event began with
the blessing at Deno’s Wonder
Wheel Amusement Park,
where the fi rst 99 attendees
got free rides on the iconic
wheel, and 300 youngsters
from local organization Salt
and Sea Mission — a group
COURIER L 18 IFE, APRIL 19–25, 2019 M BR B G
OPENING DAY: (Left) Steve Vourderis cuts the ribbon to offi cially open
Coney Island’s amusement district for the summer, along with Councilman
Mark Treyger and Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus on April 14.
(Above) Central Amusement International president Alessandro Zamperla
and dad Alberto enjoyed a ride on the famous Cyclone roller coaster.
Photos by Erica Price
that assists homeless people,
abused women, and at-risk
children — received free admission
to the park’s kiddie
rides.
Vourderis then delivered
remarks on his grandparents’
legacy — and unveiled a plaque
in their honor that will eventually
be mounted under their
landmarked ride — before the
party moved to nearby Luna
Park, where Councilman Mark
Treyger (D–Coney Island), Assemblywoman
Mathylde Frontus
(D–Coney Island), and Borough
President Eric Adams
joined revelers to watch the
annual egg cream christening
of the world-famous Cyclone.
And the operators of the
coaster granted more than 90
thrill-seekers free spins on
that ride, too.
Community Board 13’s district
manager, Eddie Mark,
was one of the lucky attendees
who got a free ride on the
Cyclone, and said that the
day’s festivities foreshadowed
a fun summer.
“A good time was had by
all, and we’re hoping for a good
summer season,” he said.
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