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Fair Blog: the Art of the Sideshow

The best part.

August 28, 2013 at 4:54PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Freak Show is one of the Midway's oldest traditions: hoochie-coochie allure and horrible deformities, just on the other side of the canvas wall. The barker stands out front and describes the marvels inside; a fire-eater swallows a bolus of flame and promises more exotic delights. You pay your admission and crowd inside, where the disappointment is swift and complete. I went inside a few years ago, and it was just pathetic. But it's keeping a tradition alive, and there's something to be said for that.

The best part is the pictures outside.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Losing one's head doesn't prevent the desire to look good in a little black dress and heels. The technician's look is priceless: dismayed that she can still carry it off.

The executioner is almost apologetic:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Yes, she exists. Of course. If there was such a creature you know she'd be working sideshows for a 50 cent admission fee:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Severed floating arm with prominent bone: of COURSE he's alive, and OF COURSE that's exactly what you're going to see inside:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Close-up:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

"Hall" may be the artist's name. Whoever he or she was, the work is a marvelous update of the old signs, a few of which can be seen in Heritage Square.

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Dead divas walking on glass wouldn't be much of a draw:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A true tradition:

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There's an old Voltara chair in the train car museum in Heritage Square. What constitutes a lethal dose of electricity? A 60-watt bulb.

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jameslileks

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