The first 95 guests rode for free Sunday in honor of the coaster’s 95th anniversary.
Erik Knapp, who has called himself “Mr. Cyclone” and has a tattoo of the ride on his arm, arrived at 6:15 AM to ensure he was the first on the ride. “I’ve been riding it since 1973,” he said. “I’m glad it’s still here. Everything else in New York has disappeared, so the little bit of old New York we have, we have to keep it going.”
When the park opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, there was already a crowd of about 50 people waiting for a free ride, and a group of drummers played the rollercoaster.
Designed by Vernon Keenan, the Cyclone first opened on June 26, 1927, and has been a Brooklyn landmark ever since. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, a few years after it became an NYC-designated landmark.
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The ride holds 24 passengers and reaches up to 60 miles per hour. Its popularity has spawned multiple replicas at Six Flag theme parks across the country and is said to be the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world.
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Riding the coaster, Knapp said, “feels like my childhood.”
“This year, we are celebrating bigger and better than ever before for its 95th anniversary of bringing thrills and joy to guests worldwide,” said Alessandro Zamperla, president and chief executive officer of Central Amusement International, and owner of Luna Park. “We are offering the first 95 riders of the Cyclone to ride for free as the first guests to help Luna Park in Coney Island celebrate an incredible milestone.’
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The Coney Island Cyclone debuted in the neighborhood’s amusement District on June 26, 1927, and continues to be the world’s second-steepest wooden coaster. It is still beloved at Luna Park and has been landmarked by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.
“Since its debut on June 26, 1927, the Coney Island Cyclone has been a core fixture of the Coney Island Amusement District and is one of Luna Park in Coney Island’s most cherished operating NYC landmarks,” Zamperla said. “It is currently the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world with an adrenaline-charged plunge measuring 85 feet at an uncompromising descent angle of almost 60 degrees. The coaster is a timeless classic and after 95 years of operation, the Cyclone is still a fan favorite.”
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Zamperla said the Cyclone’s tenacity through the times is symbolic of the people of Brooklyn — many of whom have innumerable memories of the timeless roller coaster, no matter their age.
“The Cyclone is resilient like the people of Brooklyn,” he said, “and people of all ages for generations have experienced memories at the iconic roller coaster.”
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The fun-through-the-ages characteristic of the Cyclone will carry through to its big birthday celebration, Zamperla said, which will feature fun for all ages. The coaster connoisseur also hopes this birthday will be even bigger and better than the People’s Playground’s last anniversary celebration for Cyclone’s 90th year in 2017.
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“We wanted to show all guests just how special and big this milestone is with circus-inspired entertainment including balloon art, face painting, caricature artists, stilt walkers and more,” Zamperla said. “There really is something for everyone to enjoy no matter how old you are – which is something that makes Luna Park so special and unique.”
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The June 26 celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. with remarks from the Zamperla family, followed by a ceremonial cutting of birthday cake — slices will be shared with visitors — and a toast. The first 95 guests in line will get their free ride on the Cyclone at 11:20 a.m., and the circus entertainment will ensue until the party ends.
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