Coney Island USA's Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival

Coney Island has a long history as one of the greatest tattoo centers in New York City and the world.

Coney Island USA's Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival celebrates the great blue-collar arts of tattooing and of motorcycle customization. Started in the bad old days of 1986 when tattooing was still illegal in NYC, the Coney Island Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival is both the oldest gathering in New York City and brings together cutting edge New York City artistic innovation and attitude in the traditional home of the tattoo.

Every year, entrants compete for trophies as they show their tats in the Sideshow by the Seashore Theater or parade their motorcycles on West 12th Street before our panel of judges. Tattoos are judged in the categories of Black and White, Color, Tribal, Back and Butt, while Motorcycles compete in the categories of Custom, Stock, Oldest and Ugliest.

This year the Coney Island Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival will be honoring Crazy Philadelphia Eddie (a.k.a. Coney Island Eddie). Crazy Philadelphia Eddie tattooed in the very home of Coney Island USA's Sideshow by the Seashore Theater and once tattooed the face of world-famous sideshow performer Jack Dracula. Noted Tattoo Artist and Historian Mike McCabe, who literally wrote the book on New York City tattooing, will introduce Crazy Philadelphia Eddie.

Carlo from Studio Enigma will reminisce about tattoo pioneer One-Eyed Max Peltz and Coney Island USA founder and the Permanently UnelecTed Mayor of Coney Island Dick Zigun will be getting a personal tattoo of the Cyclone Rollercoaster in flames.

The event will include over 100 customized motorcycles, live music, and New York's finest Sideshow performances.

Motorcycle Free Parking/Display Noon - 10 PM (Free)
Contest/Rally - 7 PM (Free)
West 12th Street @ Surf Avenue

Bands on West 12th Street (Free)
1 PM - 6 PM
Spanking Charlene
Mystical Children

Last Freakshow of 2011
6 PM $10

TATTOO FESTIVAL 8 PM
$10 (Half Price If You Show Ink)
MC's: Little Jimmie & Dick Zigun

Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Ave. (between Stillwell Ave. and West 12th Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-372-5159
D,N,Q,F Trains to Stillwell Ave.
www.coneyisland.com