Coney Island is one of New York City’s most beloved neighborhoods, a longstanding symbol of its history and culture.
With its amusement parks, classic boardwalk restaurants and businesses, and, of course, the beach, The People’s Playground is both nostalgic and ever-evolving. Come summertime, the nabe is a hub of community and activity.
Each year, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade marks the unofficial start of summer. Thousands of locals spend weeks building floats and glittering costumes, then parade through the streets and down the boardwalk, vying for a “Best Float” or “Best Mermaid Costume” award. After the parade, the marchers head down to the beach to toss fruit into the ocean, an offering to the sea and a sign that summer has truly begun.
On July 4, crowds gather at the intersection of Stillwell and Surf avenues for the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, after a temporary “ban,” longtime contest champion Joey Chestnut will be back on the stand.
All summer long, the Brooklyn Cyclones — the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets — draw adoring crowds at Maimonides Park. The team have a devoted following who value the team just as much as its major-league counterpart.
The offseason is busy, too. On New Years Day, brave swimmers mark the start of a new year by taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge.
And beyond its annual events, Coney Island’s allure extends to screens big and small. The amazon classic “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” famously filmed a few scenes on the boardwalk, and Oscar-winner “Anora” showed off a few of the neighborhood’s local businesses — like Williams Candy Store and the Parkview Diner.
To start the summer off right, Brooklyn Paper celebrated the Spectacular Coney Island with a special section in our print and digital editions. Check it online here, or pick up the print version on a newsstand near you!
