Brooklyn Baseball Game a Sideshow

By Brian Childs
CONEY ISLAND. The freaks come out at night … to play baseball for charity.

Before dawn on Sunday, the Sideshow by the Seashore’s freak performers poured into Keyspan Park — tattoos peeking from their uniforms’ shirt sleeves and shorts — to play the Brooklyn Cyclone’s staff to raise money to help the hungry.

“I’m sure that some of the guys won’t mind if you tackle them, but that’s not the rules of the game,” an umpire explained to Heather Holiday, 21, the world’s youngest female sword-swallower. Holiday was wearing stockings, soccer shorts and Chuck Taylors. Her jersey number was 69.

To read more in Metro, click here.

Astroland Rides Into Darkness

A well written and interesting article in Forbes.
By LARRY McSHANE 06.01.07, 2:46 PM ET

On a Coney Island afternoon, as the screams echo from deep inside the haunted house and laughter rings above the thump of the bumper cars, the good times would seem destined to roll on forever at the Astroland Amusement Park.

Carol Albert knows better.

To read more click here.

Coney Island’s history captured

By Brian Childs

CONEY ISLAND. When Roslyn Tromer was born prematurely at Coney Island Hospital, her parents placed her in the care of Dr. Martin Couney, the world’s foremost specialist in premature infant care. Couney promptly placed Tromer on display in a baby incubator and charged crowds 10 cents a head to view her as part of his Coney Island premature baby show.

Click here to read more in Metro New York.

New amusements planned for Coney Island

The Coney Island Reporter goes public.

BROOKLYN. Thor Equities — the developer looking to turn Coney Island into a year-round tourist destination complete with luxury condos — announced plans yesterday to bring a gigantic inflatable waterslide, a film series and a circus to the area this summer and to staff the events with local youth.

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Beneath the Speeding Cyclone, A Look Back in Time

Check out this article from the New York Times. It's pretty descent, except for the confusing opening paragraph.

Headless bodies paraded down Surf Avenue in Coney Island all afternoon Saturday, past the half-closed gate of the little shack under the Cyclone where Charles Denson was hanging banners and photos on the white walls. Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/nyregion/29coney.html?ref=nyregion

Sideshow School Photos - Week 5 - Breathing Fire

Sideshow School - Week Four in Photos