Luna Park in Coney Island reopens Saturday
NEW YORK -- Saturday was opening day at Luna Park, and back in action was a classic ride that's celebrating its 95th birthday this year.
Brooklyn's Eric Knapp was at the head of the line to get on the Cyclone roller coaster as it reopened for the 2022 season. He's a superfan of the ride, sporting a tattoo of the coaster on his arm.
"The tattoo is 13 years old this year. I got it in 2009 and that's when I gained the moniker 'Mr. Cyclone,'" he told CBS2's Dave Carlin.
Knapp remembers his first time on the iconic thrill ride back in 1973 when he was 7 years old.
"My grandfather put me on the ride against my parents' wishes because I wouldn't stop bugging him ... and I rode and I rode and I rode," he said.
The first 95 guests rode for free, along with the Coney Island Sharks football players and cheerleaders. Their organization is receiving a portion of the proceeds from the first day of sales.
"The Coney Island sharks is a football team. They've been out here for, like, almost 30 years. Everyone is invited but mostly it's Coney Island children," Coney Island resident Erica Turner said.
The prize New York City attraction goes way back. The Cyclone first started thrilling visitors on June 26, 1927.
For its 95th anniversary, the Cyclone was rechristened with New York State Sen. Diane Savino doing the honors with a bottle of egg cream.
"I'm not afraid of riding the Cyclone. I'm afraid I'm not gonna break the bottle," she said.
There was no need to worry. After the christening, she climbed into the first very front row.
"I do this every year, and every year I say, I must be out of my mind," Savino said.
Luna Park's reopening is the surest sign that summer is coming.
The 40 members of Brooklyn United are excited.
"Every year we open up this park, every year," director Ty Brown said. "Practice a little bit and then go ride the rides."
The Wonder Wheel and other rides open Sunday, April 10.