Old Coney's Last Season: Opening Day Details

As you may or may not know, April 1 is opening day for Coney Island. While the fact that it falls on April Fool's Day this year is dripping with irony, we'd simply point out that Coney Island's current season--from just before Easter through Columbus Day--is one of the longer one's for a Northeast waterfront spot. Anyway, here are details on the festivities, courtesy of Coney Island USA.

1) Coney Island USA's 2nd Annual Band Organ Rally comes your way from 12-6PM - Free. For more info, call (718) 372-5159

2) The World Premiere Performance of Save Coney Island, a new song by Coney Island composer Amos Wangler with chorus sung by Coney Island's Polar Bear Club at 2:30 PM - Free

3) Herman Melville's The Confidence Man at 5:00PM - Admission $10. Join Trav S.D. and company performing a new adaption of Melville's epic tribute to the American tradition of swindles, hoaxes, practical jokes and blarney. April 1, 2007 marks the 150th anniversary -- to the day -- of the publication of Melville's experimental masterwork, his last novel published during his lifetime. For more info, call (718) 372-5159

4) Denos Wonder Wheel Park brings us the "Blessing of the Rides" at 11AM with live music and a ribbon cutting with Miss Coney Island. Park opens at Noon. For more info call (718) 449-8836

5) Astroland celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the Cyclone and the 40th and final Anniversary of the park starting at 11:30AM. The festivities include the Hungry March Band, Miss Cyclone, Miss Coney Island and Kinky the Clown. First 100 Cyclone riders ride free!!!! For more info, call (718) 265 2100