"Deno once told his wife, Lula, that he would one day buy the Wonder Wheel for her as a wedding present - 'a ring so big everyone in the world would see how much he loved her, a ring that would never be lost.' He eventually fulfilled that promise, cementing the family's place in Coney Island history."
"As preparations for summer 2026 got underway, Steve and Dennis were joined by the next generation. Steve's sons, DJ and Teddy, were on site this week helping bring the ride back to life, reassembling and re-attaching the cars to the ferris wheel after a long winter break."
"The process requires precision and teamwork. About eight people work together to mount the Wonder Wheel, with Steve known as the hammer-wielding force of the team, using a tool nicknamed 'the intimidator' to secure the heavier components into place."
The Wonder Wheel's reopening each spring signifies the beginning of summer and a nearly century-long family legacy. Brothers Steve and Dennis Vourderis continue their father Deno's promise to buy the Wonder Wheel for their mother as a wedding gift. Their sons, DJ and Teddy, are involved in the preparations for summer 2026, helping to reassemble the ride. The crew includes second-generation workers, like Tom, who follows in his father's footsteps as a welder. The assembly process requires teamwork and precision, with Steve playing a crucial role in securing components.
Read at Brooklyn Paper
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]