After Hurricane Sandy, Coney Island Rides Blessed for Reopening

Mar 24, 2013 9:50pm

coney islandThe Associated Press, March 25, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — While some New Yorkers prayed in churches, the folks on Coney Island had their amusement rides blessed for the season opening five months after Superstorm Sandy.

The October storm destroyed homes and businesses, and damaged rides. Sandy flooded the electrical equipment of Deno's Wonder Wheel, at a cost of close to a half million dollars.

Valerio Ferrari, president of the company that operates Luna Park, says the beachfront community has been "to hell and back."

On Sunday morning, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz helped open the attractions with the 29th annual blessing of the rides.

The Cyclone Rollercoaster got an "egg cream christening."

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