Ah, the county fair. It always brings up great memories. I really miss the sideshows. For a dime or a quarter they offered a glimpse into worlds that country boys only read about. The Huge Killer Snake From Deepest Africa, The Man-eating Alligator Captured in the Dark Swamps of Louisiana, The Wild Boy From Borneo. Each exhibit was advertised by a large painted banner that exaggerated whatever was inside and made it a dont-miss attraction for young would-be explorers. Some banners DIDNT exaggerate. I actually did see a totally naked black woman dancing to the blues music of guitar player Texas Red and his drummer. I did see a naked hermaphrodite (someone who has the reproductive organs of both male and female.) Pretty intense stuff for a young boy from Monkey Run. I also saw a speaking wax reproduction of one of the famous gangsters, I believe it was Al Capone, on his death bed, warning young people, in a broken, wheezing, dying voice, not to follow his lifestyle. There were two-headed animals, humans with physical oddities (some so dangerous they had to be kept in a locked cage) and dozens of other exotic odd, strange and curious attractions. Other than soft drinks and cotton candy, my quarters and dimes always went to the sideshows. I miss them. I suppose they disappeared when some of the real world became more strange and horrifying than anything they could put in a tent.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:39:41 +0000
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