Cliffhanger


September 08, 2011
Century Wheel on the hill

Century Wheel on the hill


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This round of posts (with just a few repeats) is continued here

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Galleries: Setup/Teardown, State Fair



September 08, 2011
Bees at Sunset

Bees


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Galleries: Setup/Teardown, State Fair



September 07, 2011
Crazy Mouse, in the rain

carnival ride


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It's a sad shame but every couple of months I read about a carnival worker getting hit and killed by a car. I always read through to make sure it isn't someone I know. It happens a lot in Florida but the latest victim worked for Kissel Bros. in Ohio. The driver kept going. Here's the story although so far, no one's been identified.

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Gallery: Setup/Teardown



September 07, 2011
Shed #3

Shed #3


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In Idaho they're worried about the perceived exploitation of freak shows. Clearly they've never seen an episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Atlanta, New York, or New Jersey. These people aren't being held captive.

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Gallery: State Fair



September 06, 2011
Day after Labor Day

Day after Labor Day


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This is the fairgrounds in Nashville looking toward the original midway from behind the racetrack. Fair organizers along with North American Midway Entertainment have moved the rides up on top of the hill this last two years, thereby segregating the bigger rides from kiddie land. Patrons asked about this arrangement in 2010 expressed disappointment and compared the design to that of a county fair. One reason (perhaps the only good one) is that there are several places on top of the hill significantly more level. Anyone remember the Sea Ray? Hypothetically speaking, if one were thinking clearly about saving and redeveloping the fairgrounds, it seems a level midway would be the first order of business.

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Galleries: Setup/Teardown, State Fair



August 31, 2011
The Big Prize

The Big Prize


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What is the moral of this story?

I'm not typically one to advocate violence but I understand where it comes from much of the time. I like to think that if I promote anything it's more along the lines of tolerance and respect. I didn't witness the particular incident mentioned in the article above but I've seen it play out enough times to have a pretty good idea about what went down.

First off, no one would ever dream of walking up to say the guy who fixes their car and in front of all his employees accuse him of being a thief. I doubt anyone looks their doctor square in the eye and says "You're in cahoots with Big Pharma you asshole, and you know it!" No one points out their insurance agent on the street and announces to the world that he's a con artist who's living large on their hard earned cash. It just doesn't happen.

But you get two beers in a guy at a state fair and the minute he loses four dollars which by the way, HE CHOSE to GAMBLE, he'll make sure everyone under the sun, including his own young children knows that that carny over at the bushel basket game is a "..lying, cheating dirtbag."
It never fails. If that doesn't garner him any attention, he'll go back for a second round and tell the guy to his face in front of all of his paying customers.

I don't know who told people they could behave this way. It's appalling. Frankly, I'm amazed at the restraint I've seen from so many jointees over the years. Again, I can't speak for the man in this story but it's a miracle somebody doesn't get their nose broken every day.

People go to the carnival to have fun. If you stop having fun, it's time to go home.


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Galleries: Midway, State Fair



August 19, 2011
Animal & Tim

Animal & Tim


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Gallery: People






ABOUT
This is a story about carnies, living and working on the road. It's about a culture of people in America who get less respect than they deserve because of the entertainment industry and other media, who continue to either promote the same shallow stereotypes or sensationalize them, with their own imaginations. They're already sensational. This brief web journal is about them and for them.

Text and photos ©SUSAN ADCOCK unless otherwise noted. Thanks for looking.

GALLERIES
Setup/Teardown
Midway
Midway Art
People
High Wire
Winter Quarters
Gibtown
Ground Score
State Fair
Tijuana
Teardown Shirts
Backlot
Parts Department
Wilson County Fair
TN State Fair 2008
TN State Fair 2009
Vintage

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Carny Rap
For the Kids
Gorilla Girl
Dirty Laundry
Two Jimmys
The O Boys
The Ride Jock
The Skywheel
Call Me in the Morning
The Negotiation
Balloon Joint
Back when I knew Superman

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North American Carnival Museum and Archives
Amusement Today
Matt's Carnival Warehouse
Tilt-A-Whirl
5 cent ride
Sideshow World
Coney Island Blog
JKirlin on Fiesta Shows
Ripley's: Have You Heard?
Majestic Greater Shows
Diary of a Carny
Casa Flamingo
The Flat Joint
Pitcherlady
Carny Dog

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Century Wheel on the hill Bees carnival ride Shed #3 Day after Labor Day

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