Apr
11
2009
The creator of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Dick Zigun had stated that the island better hold on. He promises the most bizarre circus show of strange oddballs and outrageous freaks the audiences of Coney Island has every seen. However, John Strong the 3rd, famous in the traveling freak show circuit but new to Brooklyn, said basically in response, to “bring what you’ve got”. Criticizing Zigun’s circus, he called it a “show” with a bunch of weird animals, but only one human performer. Zigun responded by saying there are many human performers, but not one act involves animals. The two were involved in quite a feud when the city of Brooklyn stepped in to announce that it would be neither circus on the island this summer. Plans were announced for the more family friendly show put on year after year, none other than the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Meanwhile, Joe Sitt, happens to be the New York developer who could become in charge of the future of the entire island and park. The city has wanted to revitalize Coney Island for some time and fears that the freak shows will not allow that to happen. Mr. Sitt is a patron of John Strong. Mr. Sitt has also made proposals for his own ideas in the past, and his childhood friend is a city councilman, and the fear of Brooklyn is that this will affect the outcome of the decisions that will decide the future of Coney Island. Many businesses have been evicted by Mr. Sitt already, including the boutiques and five star hotels of New York, the batting cages and one of the amusement parks. Fears remain that he will eventually be responsible for turning the once vibrant tourist spot and one of the most beloved neighborhoods of New York, into a desolated ghost town of empty buildings and fading colors. Meanwhile, the site for the Ringling Brothers Circus has been moved to an abandoned lot and the Strong Freak Show will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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